Trouble Tunes

“O righteous God bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.”  Psalm 7:9

Most people who inspire songs are loved, admired, or at least respected, but not this guy.  He was angry, mean, and against David.  His name was Cush, and he was a Benjamite.  This kinship to King Saul made him consider the up-and-coming David a royal pain, and he set out in a rage to eliminate the competition—literally.

In terrible trouble, David composed a song “which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.”  The lyrics were neither sweet nor soothing but were desperate appeals of faith to the One who controlled David’s fate.  “O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me”(vs 1-2).  As a shepherd, David had picked up mangled lambs after many lion attacks, but now he felt the horror of being hunted.

Cush wasn’t settling the score, for David was innocent of evil against him.  “If I’m guilty,” he cried to God, “then let my enemy overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust”(vs 4-5).  Since David knew he was not to blame, he begged for vindication.  “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure”(vs 9). 

Haven’t we all sung that song before?  Aren’t we still singing it?  The innocent are often harmed.  The guilty evade justice.  Evil seems to triumph over good, and the ones who are right end up being wronged.  Yet, because of God’s ultimate authority and His incorruptible character, we can trust Him with the outcome and join with David on the final chorus. “I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High”(vs 17).

When something or someone bothers you or bullies you, sing to the Lord.  Seek His help, state your case, and stand strong in His sovereignty. 

The enemy may attack and roar, but he can never rip your soul to pieces.

Your tune in troubled times can always be, “It is well.”