Psalm 28

The Lord is our Rock

“Never was a faithful prayer lost.  Some prayers have a longer voyage than others, but then they return with their richer lading at last, so that the praying soul is a gainer by writing for an answer.”                                    William Gurnall –

Written by David in times of crisis – His world was falling apart.  Absalom is tearing apart the nation of Israel.

          David turns to God, The Rock, his God – his hope –

          David is king –

          David’s son whom he loves dearly is the enemy –

Those in his kingdom have thrown stones at him and cursed him. 2 Sam.     16:6-13

David cries out to the Rock – Luke 6:48  Job 39:28

          My dwelling place

          My sure foundation

          My stronghold

          My place of safety

Jehovah, My Rock –

          The Existing One – The proper name foe the One true God – The Changeless One – The Rock

Vs. 1 – I cry out to You, if You don’t answer me, I will die.

          If You are silent, I am doomed like those who don’t know You as their Rock. 

          I have no hope if it is not in You!

David understands how vital it is to hear from God –

Vs. 2 – So he prays and lifts his hand towards the precious place of God’s Presence.

He asks for mercy – (CheCed/pronounced Kheh’-sed)

Old Testament -  goodness, kindness, faithfulness

New Testament - eleeo (pronounced e-le-e’-o)

                          to help one seeking aid - 

                          to have mercy on (help me)

                 to experience mercy – (to be helped)

Eph. 2:4 -  God is rich in mercy

Gal. 6:16 - Mercy is an act of God –

                                peace is the resulting experience in the heart of man-

Grace –  To be in favor with.

Old Testament - Chen (Khan) favor, acceptance ie. Gen. 6:8  Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.

New Testament – Charis (Kharees) “benefit”  the character of “benefit” as the effect of the gracious disposition of the benefactor. 

David knows that God is His only help.  He asks that God hear his plea for mercy – not knowing yet how much or what he is asking for because he has only a part of the answer but he knows he has All of God –

          We don’t have all the answers but

          We have all of God!

          David looked to God for mercy – for help.

Vs. 3-4  He pleas for his life.

          Don’t let me be dragged away.

          Those who were to be stoned, executed were to be dragged to their place of death –

Vs. 5 – I am not ignoring You – I come to You, I beg for mercy.

          Don’t destroy me with those who “Care for nothing for what the Lord has done or for what His hands have created.”

 5b  David knows the punishment of those who reject God’s way –

They will be torn down and never be rebuilt.  Is. 61:1-4

David knows that he belongs to God –

          He knows that he is standing on The Rock!

          He knows the promises of God—

The power of the Rock rises up in him and David starts praising God –

Vs. 6-8  Praise the Lord

Past

·        He has heard my cry for mercy –

·        And peace has flooded my Soul –

·        He is my strength

Present

·        He is my shield from EVERY danger –

·        Oh, I can trust Him with All my heart.

·        He helps me

·        He has filled my heart with joy