Hesed!

Hesed!

Psalm 59

If we know anything about the life of David, we know that many of his early years were spent shepherding thankless sheep or running from a jealous Saul.  In the years spent running from Saul, David often reflected on, clung to, and spoke of the hesed  of God – His loyal love – love that never runs out or gives up. 

The context of Psalm 59 is David’s running from Saul.  In these days, David had nothing to cling to except the hesed of God.   He presents vivid descriptions of his enemies using  graphic analogies, e.g.  howling and prowling like dogs (v. 6,14), swords in their lips (v.7),  dogs wandering about for food and growling when they cannot  eat their fill (v.15). Then in vs. 16, David turns the scene from his rabid enemies to the hesed of God.  He does this despite the fact, the enemies are bearing down.

This hesed moves him to make  three declarations. He will sing of God’s strength. He will sing of God’s hesed.  He will honor God as his strength and place of safety (v. 16-17).

I am at a time in my life when I do not normally face enemies of human nature. Mine are enemies of the heart and mind. Yet no matter how dark the  night, how intense  the pain, how long the way.  The hesed of God is my fortress – my strength—and my reason for praise.