David appeals, stating that he is subjected to the slander and insults of his enemies. Look at verse 19: You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. He confesses that God is aware of the slander, shame, and dishonor he is enduring. Although there are enemies who slander and attack him, he expects that, because they are before God, God will judge them. However, in verse 10, we can see that the slander from these adversaries still deeply affects David's heart and fills his spirit with anguish. When there are people who attack and slander us, we often hope for God's help. Yet, experiencing such situations can be quite difficult, and there are many times when our hearts are hurt. People often fail to be of help to us and do not show us compassion.

Through such events, we experience the bitter pain of life. Verse 21 says, They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. David reflects on how his enemies provided him gall as food and made him drink vinegar when he was thirsty. This indicates how much his life was painful and difficult due to his adversaries. This message is later reenacted when Jesus was crucified. Matthew 27:34 states, They gave Him vinegar mixed with gall to drink; and when He had tasted it, He would not drink. When Jesus was crucified, the Roman soldiers offered Him wine mixed with gall. The pain that David felt was also experienced by the Lord.

David, the figure we refer to, had many flaws and shortcomings, yet God evaluated him as a man after His own heart. Why could David receive such an evaluation from God? This piques my curiosity. As I read the words of the Psalms, I thought there might be several reasons, but I believe there are one or two key reasons why David was considered worthy in God's eyes. One reason is that David's praise for God was unceasing. His life was not always smooth; he faced many hardships and crises. Nevertheless, when he thought of God, songs of praise and gratitude overflowed from him. David, who lived a life full of songs, gratitude, and praise, was truly pleasing to God.

Another aspect is that David deeply experienced and confessed the events that Jesus experienced in his own life. Therefore, during His public ministry, Jesus frequently quoted Psalm 3. When looking at David, who had experienced many of the same things that Jesus did, it must have felt to God as if He were looking at His Son, and that is why He couldn't help but love him so much. Everyone, when we think of God, may our hearts overflow, and may we become people who live our lives like Jesus, becoming pleasing to God's heart. David asked God for judgment and righteous judgment against his enemies. If you look at verse 22, it says that the table of his enemies became a snare.

He prayed that their peace would be painted over. In verse 23, he prays that their eyes would be darkened so that they cannot see, and that their loins would always tremble. In verse 24, he appeals for God's wrath to be poured out upon them so that it may reach them. In verse 25, he requests that the land they inhabit be made desolate, and that no one may dwell in their homes. David prayed that God would judge them solely with His justice. In verse 27, he says, Add to their iniquity, that they may not come into Your righteousness. He appeals to God to add to their sins so that, because of their own wrongdoing, they may not enter into God's justice. God's justice does not tolerate sin and evil. Therefore, He reveals all their wickedness and administers a righteous judgment.

In verse 28, it says, Do not let them be blotted out of the book of life, nor be recorded with the righteous. It states that the names of the wicked should not be recorded in the book of life. They receive judgment from God in this world, but above all, let judgment be pronounced so that they cannot enter the eternal kingdom of God. This clearly shows that God's judgment against the wicked is eternal and fearsome. David prayed that God would save him and honor him. In verse 29, it says, But I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. David truly was poor and sorrowful. His enemies attacked and slandered him, and he had no strength or ability to confront them. Therefore, in the situation he was in, he turned to God.

I believed that He would save me and glorify me. Even though we are poor and sad today, I hope we can move forward believing that God will lift us up and honor us with His marvelous hand of salvation. David believed in God's justice and salvation and offered thanks to God. Let's read verse 30 together: I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. David confessed that he would praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. As I mentioned earlier, I feel that David's spirituality is truly remarkable; despite the many trials and difficulties, he praised God with joy and gratitude. The ability to offer praise and thanks even in suffering is a truly exceptional and mature expression of faith.

I hope that we can be people whose gratitude and praise towards God never cease in any moment of our lives. David confesses that such songs of thanksgiving bring God more joy than any offering. Look at Psalm 30:1. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves. The ox was the most valuable and precious offering to God. However, he is saying that the praise he offers is more pleasing to God than presenting the most expensive ox as a sacrifice. What is the best offering we can give to God? If we live our faith without gratitude and joy, simply giving a lot of money, will that truly please God?

You are not happy, although what we can offer may be insignificant. However, God opens the way for gifts of joy and gratitude. We must always be people who praise God with joy and thankfulness. David expresses that by seeing his gratitude and praise, other faithful individuals will receive comfort and encouragement. Let's look at verse 32: Let the afflicted see this and rejoice; you who seek God, may your hearts live! The term afflicted refers to those who, like himself, endure hardships and persecution while living a life of faith in God. God rescued David from the hands of his enemies, and by witnessing his praises, the hearts of the afflicted will also find joy. David speaks to all who seek God and live with faith and perseverance.

We can see that it is encouraging us to be revived and to achieve through faith. Lastly, David proclaims the place and promises that God gives to the people of faith. Let us read together verses 35 and 36: God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; people will settle there and possess it. The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will dwell there. God declares that He will rebuild Zion and the cities of Judah. He has promised to allow His people to live there and to make it His possession. Furthermore, their descendants will inherit that land, and those who love God's name will dwell among them. God judges all things with justice and has saved the people of faith, giving them amazing blessings and promises.

I hope that today, you can live believing that God is alive and with us. May you experience God's salvation and grace in our lives, and may you be able to offer joyful and thankful praise to Him. I pray that God will give His people abundant grace and blessings, allowing them to enjoy the glory of Zion forever. In the name of the Lord, I bless you. Let us pray. 

Father God of justice, we thank You for judging the wicked according to their sins and for giving salvation and hope to those who believe. Help us to willingly share in the sufferings we endure for Your sake, and let us draw near to You in prayer and supplication, believing that You will judge evil with Your righteous judgment. Even though we are currently in a time of trial and crisis,

While we are filled with life, let us look forward to God, who will ultimately save us and grant us victory. May we be allowed to offer songs of joy and gratitude. I believe that God will bless us, allowing us to live peacefully in this land, and above all, grant us the eternal life of the Kingdom of God. May we and our descendants live blessed lives in faith, and may we all be empowered to overcome today's challenges with faith in the hope of God's Kingdom. We give thanks and pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

2021-08-27(금) / 시편 69:19-36 / 내가 노래로 하나님의 이름을 찬송하며 / 이관형 목사

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