“Arise for our help, and redeem us for Your mercies sake.” (v.26)
This Psalm reflects on Israel’s past, present, and future deliverance by God. The psalmist begins by recognizing all that God had done in times past to deliver Israel from its enemies (vv.1-4). Then it declares that they (Israel), “will boast in the LORD all day long because of His current protection and favor over them (vv.4-8). But the psalm then takes a sudden turn, and lashes out in an accusatory tone towards God of; abandoning Israel (v.9), scattering them (v.11), allowing them to fall into slavery (v.12), and covering them with a shadow of death (v.19). Finally, the psalm ends with an emotional appeal for a future deliverance from their affliction and oppression (vv.23-26).
I can’t tell you how many times I have called on God for deliverance from messes I have found myself in. I can look back over my life and see God’s hand of protection, provision, and deliverance all over it. And, I’m sure to need His help in the future as well. Though the LORD may sometimes seem to be inattentive to our needs, as He seemed to be with Israel here in our text, He is always with us. And if He is with us, nothing can prevail against us (Romans 8:31).
It is comforting to know that as a child of God, He knows us, He gives us eternal life, and we shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch us out of His hand (John 10:27-28). We are redeemed, just as the psalmist requested, and therefore during the battles of life, He will be right there with us, because He loves us.
The Truth: “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
