The end of gossip

Evidently, the Psalmist endured slander and gossip.  He understood he had sinned and would forever live under "the sword." (2 Sam 12.10)  He understood God's law of sowing and reaping. (Pro 11.18, Prov 22.8, Hos 10.12, Gal 6.7, 2 Cor 9.6, Gal 6.9)  He probably taught this particular law to his son, Solomon. Which would indicate why Solomon spoke of this law in Proverbs.

Nevertheless, his heart would've been in a repentant state and would be sorely burdened by those that spoke evil against him.

Psalm 64 is a prayer by King David for protection against hidden enemies who use slanderous words and secret plots as weapons, like arrows shot from ambush. It explores the fear caused by unjust, secret attacks, highlights God's swift, retributive justice, and concludes with the righteous rejoicing as the wicked fall by their own schemes.

Key Themes and Meanings:

The Power of Malicious Words: The enemies in Psalm 64 are not using swords, but tongues like swords and bitter words like arrows. It highlights how gossip, rumors, and slander can be more damaging than physical warfare, with attackers acting like "snipers" in the shadows.

Fear of Hidden Enemies: David asks to be preserved from the fear of the enemy, recognizing that the anxiety, anticipation, and dread caused by not knowing when or where a verbal attack will come is often more exhausting than the attack itself.

Inward Corruption of the Wicked: The psalm describes the enemy as having deep-seated, hidden, and premeditated evil, believing their schemes will go unnoticed.

God's Retributive Justice: The turning point in the psalm is that God shoots His own arrows at them unexpectedly. The very plots designed by the wicked to destroy others end up ruining themselves.  God intervenes to expose evil, the righteous are called to fear (revere) God, declare His works, and rejoice in Him.

Structure of the Psalm:

• Verses 1–2: David's prayer for protection and a plea for safety from a conspiracy of evildoers.
• Verses 3–6: A description of the enemies' attacks—bitter words, secret plots, and the deep, dark, and malicious thoughts of their hearts.
• Verses 7–10: A prophetic assurance of victory, as God strikes the wicked down, causing others to fear and recognize God's, judgment.
• Psalm 64 is considered a, practical lesson on trusting God’s protection, especially when facing injustice or verbal attacks, as it promises that God will ensure justice prevails. 
• Our prayer is that you guard your heart (Pro 4.23), thus, guarding your tongue.
• God bless and keep them both is our prayer. Ps 57.7

"My tongue is the pen of a ready writer"

What does the Psalmist desire to say?

What would you write?

My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: 

my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever. 

• A sober question to be sure, is "grace poured (from my) lips?"

Next verse indicates that with grace we are to be ready to battle, when necessary. "Gird thy sword..."

3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

4. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

• When one speaks with "grace, truth, meekness and righteousness," spiritual and sometimes material or physical prosperity follows. 

5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. 6 Thy throne, O god, is for ever and ever, the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

• There is no doubt that wise words are sometimes "sharp" to an enemy. (Heb 4.12)

7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy god, hath aointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, (like cinnamon) out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

• For those that love and practice "righteousness," the heart will be glad and the spiritual fragrance will be pleasant to others.

 9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. 13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. 14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

• The descriptions given in verses 9-14 imply that the King's daughter is "honourable" and definitely favored above others.  So, when a believer acknowledges their faith, loyalty and alligience to our Lord Jesus, our worth is "honourable" and highly favored as in Luke 1.28.

15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace. 16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee forever and ever.

• When the tongue is governed by the Holy Spirit, then that one will be "remembered in all generations...forever."  In other words, what one does and says for the Lord will last.  Great is your reward. (Mt 5.12)

God bless and keep you is my prayer. Ps 57.7

He thinks about you

Psalm 40

1.  I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, AND heard my cry. - a most comforting thought, the Lord hears the cry of His children.

2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, AND established my goings. - When a believer understands he/she is "heard," then, it follows of all one is delivered from.

3. AND He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. - the Psalmist sings only in praise to God.  When others "see it," there remains a testimony that also magnifies the Lord.

4. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. - It is a conscious decision to trust the Lord while dismissing proud people and those that would lie.

5. Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they (His thoughts) cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. - A powerful reflection; His thoughts of us are more than can be numbered! The Creator that stepped out on nothing and created everything "thinks" about His children all the time! While meditating on the title of this post, another word leaps to the heart, "us-ward."

Ephesians 1.19 states   ...And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to 'us-ward' who believe.

Second Peter 3.9 notes The Lord is not slack concerning His promise...;but is longsuffering to 'us-ward,' not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Examining the term "us-ward," the magnificent doctrine of election comes to mind.

This blogger believes in the sovereign, election of God's chosen peoples, Jew and Gentile.  In this particular way, the Lord "thinks about" His own.  Also, in this particular way, this heart is blessed to comprehend, meditate and praise His Name forever that He "thinks about me!" 

1.  His thoughts are to us-ward (saved folks)
2.  The greatness of His power is given to us-ward who believe
3.  Us-ward indicates "who" will come to repentance.

Others may continue to debate and discharge this truth but truth needs no defense.  If you belong to Him in the free pardon of sin and salvation thru the Lord Jesus Christ, you will

1.  come to repentance
2.  be given the greatness of His power
3.  and be blessed that His thoughts are about you

God bless and keep you is our prayer.  Ps 57.7