Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 56

A Miktam

According to "A Silent Dove Far Away"

I. Introduction

A. Structure of the Psalms

The pattern for many years has been to treat each Psalm as an individual unit.

This makes sense since they were composed by different authors over a long period of time, to speak to a wide range of circumstances.

We must remember, however, that the work of the Holy Spirit in preparing the Bible for us was not limited to the inspiration of the authors.

It superintended the editing, collection into the canon, the final agreement in the Church over what was to be included in the Canon, the translation into a vast array of languages and the preservation of the text of Scripture over the 3,500 years since the first word was written.

Because of that, it is reasonable to assume that the supervision of the Holy Spirit included the arrangement of the Psalms into the final form that has been passed down to us.

So what.

It means that instead of treating the Psalms as individual islands of wisdom, we can look at the whole tapestry and discover how God used the poems, songs, laments and other forms as a single work to reveal his character, his nature and his will for our lives.

Some have suggested a editorial purpose and have extrapolated a five book structure:

·         Book 1 (1-41) - David's conflict with Saul

·         Book 2 (42-72) David's reign

·         Book 3 ((73-89) Assyrian Crisis

·         Book 4 (90-106) Introspection about the Destruction of the Temple and Exile

·         Book 5 (107-150) Praise~/reflection on Return and New Era

·         Psalm 1,2 introduce the them of the Book of the Psalms

While I suspect the presence of some kind of editorial structure, I'm not sure this is it.

I am somewhat more certain however that the beginning and ending Psalms, (1,2 and 150) form a set of "bookends" that set the purpose of the Psalms and  identify a fitting ending.

This structure can inform our theology as we study this marvelous book.

1. Psalm 1,2 introduce the them of the Book of the Psalms

<Read Psalm 1>

If you had to choose one word that summarizes the theme of Psalm 1, what would it be?

<Discussion>

I would suggest that Psalm 1 set out the theme of “righteousness" as its core idea and one of the central themes for the Book of the Psalms.

[1]

·         Psalm 1:1 - Righteousness that does not take its counsel  from  the world

·         Psalm 1:3 - Righteousness that flourishes

·         Psalm 1:4 - Righteousness that contrasts with the wisdom of the world

·         Psalm 1:8 [most of all] Righteousness is the quality of one who knows and is known by God

<Read Psalm 2>

Again, if you had to choose one word to describe the theme of Psalm 2, what would that word be?

<Discussion>

I would suggest that the word "judgement," that while God's love is certain, so is his judgement.

<See Exodus 34: 6-7>

"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’"

(Exodus 34:6-7, ESV)

These are parallel ideas.

We don't' have time to develop this much here this morning but we should recognize that God is love, and that his love is expressed in both his righteousness and his justice.

These divine qualities are always present.

Love in the absence of justice is weak and permissive; love in the absence of righteousness is just sentiment.

2. Psalm 150 - conclusion "all praise"

Now look at the other end of the Psalms, Psalm 150.

<Read Psalm 150>

We can begin to see the full power of this ending of the Psalms, especially (v. 6) when we compare it with a New Testament counterpart.

<See Psalm 150:6>

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6, ESV)

 

Now see Romans 14:11

<See Romans 14:11>

"For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'" (Romans 14:11, ESV)

B. Introduction to Psalm 56

So where does this leave us in our study of Psalm 56?

Let's draw this as a chart and picture where Psalm 56 falls in the scheme we've been talking about in the Psalms

This is where Psalm 56 is thematically.

It describes fear as it stands against the backdrop of God's character and will.

Let's dig in  now and look at what it tells us about fear when that  fear is experienced in the context of a God of righteousness and justice and who has determined that  ultimately every knee shall bow and praise him as  Lord.

1. Context

First we will examine the context of Psalm 56.

a) Immediate context

The immediate context in provided by the superscription at the beginning of the Psalm.

(1) Miktam

First we learn that this is a Miktam.

What this is, is uncertain, however there are other Miktams in the Psalms.

Psalm 16: says, "I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken"

Psalm 57: says "I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me."

Psalm 58 says: "Mankind will say, 'surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.'"

Psalm 59 says: "Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me;"

Psalm 60 says: "Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!"

Each of these is a "Miktam" of David and each speaks to the central theme of the trouble and opposition and how God's people should respond when they are surrounded with reasons to be afraid.

(2) According to "A Silent Dove Far Away"

Next we are told that this Psalm is "According to "A Silent Dove Far Away."

Obviously this is an old Conway Twitty song....well perhaps not.

The bad news is, we don't know what this is either.

It may have something to do with music, or meter, or a way of reciting or singing this Psalm.

b) Historical context

We can also see the historical context from the text of the superscription.

(1) When the Philistines seized David in Gath

We are told that David wrote it when he was face to face with a King and a people who threatened his life.

We can pick up the story in 1 Samuel 21.

Here are the highpoints from 1 Samuel:

·         David kills Goliath (from Gath).

·         Saul calls David for personal service.

·         David becomes wildly popular for his valor in Battle.

·         Saul is consumed with jealousy and begins to hate David; he begins to find ways to kill David.

·         David flees for his life to the priest Ahimelech who gives him the ceremonial bread (an act for which he will be killed by Saul) and also gives David Goliath's sword.

·         David flees next to Gath and pretends insanity  to escape the deadly designs of King Achish

<Read 1 Samuel 21: 10-14>

(One of my favorite quotes is 1 Samuel 21: 15)

·         Finally he flees away from King Achish into a cave called the Cave of Adullam

·         There about 400 others, debtors, malcontents, probably criminals all joined David in his hideout.

Now consider David's mindset:

·         He has been innocent, obedient, and faithful

·         He has had spears thrown at him

·         Spies are looking for him everywhere and all  around him there are those who are plotting  against him

·         He has abandoned his dignity to escape with  his life

·         Now he is hiding in a cave with 400 of the worst that the land had to offer

In order to understand the depth of truth in this Psalm, we need to come face to face with the depth of the pain and fear in David's heart.

He was not afraid of a case of swine flu, or that he might lose his job, or afraid that times might be difficult for a while.