“For the choir director: ‘Do Not Destroy.’ A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.” – superscription of Psalm 59
Psalm 59. Usually, the subtitles in our Bible are later additions added to aid modern readers as they navigate the ancient biblical texts. Not so with the Psalms. The “superscriptions” are part of the Hebrew text and provide invaluable context as well as the reminder that many of these lyrics (miktams) were designed to be accompanied by music (to the tune of “Do Not Destroy”). These psalms are designed to guide not only our prayer but our emotions as well.
Praying through a psalm leads me to pray things I would never pray on my own and to feel things that I do not typically feel. Here is an example from my journal this week…
“Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine. For no fault of mine…” – Psalm 59:3-4
Vindicate me, Lord! Show your power to save from those people and forces over whom I have no power.
“I will keep watch for you, my strength, because God is my stronghold.” – Psalm 59:9
Turn my eyes from watching what I fear to watching for you. Let my view be filled with you, my stronghold, not with my problems and worries.
“Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget… Lord, our shield… Then people will know throughout the earth that God rules…” – Psalm 59:10-13
Do not remove the obstacles if they are your means to reveal yourself to me, to my family, to your church, to the world. Give us patient, Lord our shield, in the face of the forces that oppose us.
“They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city… And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. They scavenge for food; they growl if they are not satisfied.” – Psalm 59:6,14
When the specter of doubt emerges and the clouds of despair threaten on the horizon, help me to see them for what they are…barking dogs, hungry and noisy yet powerless.
“To you, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold—my faithful God.” – Psalm 58:17
Renew us, your church, to be a joy-singing, Bible-trusting, and Jesus-loving witness across Waco and around the world!
Think These Things 