Tuesday: “From the Depths of the Earth”
Read Psalm 71:1-24. What did David imply when he asked God to bring him up “again from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20, NKJV)?
In Psalm 49:1-20 we found a touching expression of hope in the resurrection, in contrast to the false assurance of the fool who trusted in his wealth. In Psalm 71:1-24, David seeks security and hope from God while surrounded by enemies and false accusers who say that God has forsaken him (Psalm 71:10-11).
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Amid his trials, David finds comfort and assurance in recalling how God had cared for him in the past. First, he realizes that God had upheld him from birth and even took him out of his mother’s womb (Psalm 71:6). Then, he acknowledges that God had taught him from his youth (Psalm 71:17).
With the certainty that God was his rock and his fortress, David pleads with Him, “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually” (Psalm 71:3, NKJV). “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails” (Psalm 71:9, NKJV). “O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!” (Psalm 71:12, NKJV). And then David adds, “You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20, NKJV).
The expression “from the depths of the earth” could be understood literally as an allusion to the future physical resurrection of the psalmist. But the context seems to favor a metaphorical description of David’s condition of deep depression as if the earth were swallowing him (compare with Psalm 88:6 and Psalm 130:1). So, we could say that “it is primarily figurative speech, but also hints at a physical resurrection.” — Andrews Study Bible, p. 726, note on Psalm 71:20.
In the end, what’s important to grasp is that, whatever our situation, God is there, He cares, and ultimately, our hope isn’t found in this life but in the life to come — the eternal life we have in Jesus after our resurrection at His return.
| We all have had some terrible moments of discouragement. How, though, can focusing on the ways that the Lord had been with you in the past help you press on ahead in faith and trust in the moments when He seems far away? |
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In this psalm I read about gray hairs for the glory of God! The psalmist shows us how to age.
(1) To take refuge in God rather than draw attention to my troubles (Ps. 71:7-8). He’s been through a lot but he’s become a wonder because of his faith and determination to follow the Lord no matter what. In vs. 3 he talks about God as a rock of refuge to which he can always go. In vs. 5 he talks about Yahweh the covenant God who has watched over him from birth, and from when he was “woven together in the dark of the womb” (Ps. 139:15). In vs. 8 his mouth is filled with praise to God all day long. I want to grow old like that. Leading others to honor God (Lev. 19:32).
(2) To not give in to despair (Ps. 71:14). To praise God more and more. The older we get and grayer we get, the closer we are to our next waking breath in God’s face-to-face presence. It’s the joy set before us (Heb.12:2). Present with the Lord in a new body, with all the redeemed together, all of us being still our own selves and unique personalities, and yet also fully in harmony and understanding with each other, fully like Him, and fully seeing Him as He is (1 John 3:2)!
(3) To be an evangelist to the next generation, forever, all the way to the grave (Ps. 71:15,18). To age so that as long as my mind is able, I want to talk about what God has done for me. To say that I have seen many things and experienced many events and God’s power has been shining through them all. Amazing. Delivering. Rescuing. Helping. Turning things around. I’ve been in dry spells. I’ve been in overflowing fountains. I’ve been up on the mountains. I’ve been down in the valleys. And I/we have a story to tell of the mighty acts of God. Stories full of God, full of Scripture, full of faith. By God’s grace, I want to finish this race like that.
In the days where I studied Shakespearian literature at school I became aware of the notion of a soliloquy. It was a bit in the play where the character stepped aside from the mainstream of the play and made a little speech. A soliloquy was usually a sort of explanation or enlightenment of the theme of the play. In school examinations, they were the bits the teachers like to target because they thought they were important.
Psalm 71 is David's soliloquy on the play of life. For a moment he has stepped aside from life with a reflection and enlightenment on the way his life had unfolded and how his relationship with God has grown. I don't know how the original Hebrew reads, but the English version does read well in spite of it not being the original language. I think it is worth asking the question here; what is David really saying? What is his big picture?
I feel like the main point of this psalm is God's enduring presence. I don't see a very strong link to the resurrection and I'm not sure it was the best passage to use. The lesson wants us to believe that the resurrection was clearly proclaimed in the Old Testament but the reality was it wasn't a strongly emphasized teaching. The New Testament is much clearer. I don't think we have to be bothered by that.
Sometimes we may think that Bible characters were different from us, ordinary people. But they were just like you and me, with ups and downs in life, surrounded by fear and distress, and at times very happy. Which means anyone can be a biblical living example! It all depends on how to choose in every opportunity.
Psalm 71:10-15 brings to focus the issues David wrestled with, which we can easily apply to our own lives – being oppressed by those who do not respect God, who wait for us to give up our love for Him and our faith in His Righteousness. In Psalm 71:20, David states, “Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.”
Yes, metaphorically speaking, the "depth of the earth" is trying to hold us down with its entanglements caused by its troubles and tribulations. We have been told that His Grace, being ours by/through faith, is sufficient to raise us above all turmoil and to set our foot on solid ground – 2 Cor. 12:9.
Psalms 49 has some difficult passages to understand, but it's also filled with important truths.
First there is the vain reliance on wisdom, riches and possessions for security and acknowledgement, and David sees that none of that keeps people from dying and rotting away in the earth; just like all animals die, so mankind dies. Death seems to be the lot and end of all living, whether animal or people.
He points out that in spite of all their riches and possessions, no one can buy his own ransom or the ransom of anyone else, for the redemption of the soul is -- precious, costly, priceless, too much.
In the King James Version:
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah
It's the term "and it ceaseth for ever" that is perplexing and one wonders:
What ceaseth?
The different Bible versions all read differently at this point.
Does it mean that left to its results human life ceases forever, and they will not live forever, since there is nothing they can do to purchase their own ransom? Or does it mean one would have to pay forever and never cease paying?
Or does it express hope, as some commentators suggest --
""And though he cease to be, (vechadal,) during the hidden time, (leolam;) yet he shall live on through eternity, (vichi od lanetsach,) and not see corruption." (Adam Clarks commentary)
Though he ceases to exist for a hidden time, yet he shall live...
It seems David is grappling, trying to figure out the whole death concept. He doesn't bring in the solution as to how this ransom will be paid, BUT he still holds firmly, in faith to the promise --
15 God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah
The moments when I press on ahead in faith and trust when it seems like God is not there comes from the assurances, promises, and stories I read from scripture. During the terrible moments of discouragement I can rely on the Lord on these three factors: (1) assurances, (2) promises, and (3) stories. Factor (1) I’m reminded of the verse in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” KJV. The shadow of death is the final enemy in life and we can’t avoid it in our sinful human condition. But, living our everyday life we should not fear (trust) evil, but fear (trust) God. This is a sinful world we live in and the reality is that this world is literally a living hell when sin reigns over it. When we go through the different evils in life like hardship, injustice, poverty, cruelty, slavery, broken homes and relationships, financial ruin, and more, etc., rest assure God is always there for you when He seems He’s not. Evil is a dark cloud that attacks our faith in God when life is at its lowest point for you. Therefore, shout, rejoice, and proclaim, the assurance of shunning evil for God cannot be removed (He is always there and everywhere). Remember, during the midst of a dark terrible storm, the sun is always shining above the thick clouds. Don’t let fear reign over your heart, but allow Christ to live in it. Factor (2) reminds us to hold onto the promises of scripture. In James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”, KJV. What does it mean to endure temptation? But before I answer this question, we got to know what sort of means that leads us to temptation. The means that lead us to temptations are pleasures, worries, problems, troubles, burdens, panics, stress, pains, oppressions, depressions, and headaches, etc. So, to endure temptation is to persevere (overcoming) with the power of Christ because we can’t do it alone without Him. What is the promise when we endure temptation? The promise is we are blessed. Factor (3) helps me press on ahead in faith and trust from the stories of the bible, real-life stories, and personal experiences. Two bible characters come to mind when going through terrible moments of discouragement when it seems God is far away or not there was Job, and Joseph. Job’s faith was tested when Satan himself attacked him. And, Joseph could of easily given up when his brothers sold him to slavery. Especially the Samaritan woman at the well who had a troubling life, but turned herself around when she met her Savior. Real-life stories come from people you know or read about who went through difficulties, but were triumphant in the end like your grandparents experiencing WW2, Desmond Doss, or friends who shared their testimonies, bringing encouragement to your faith. And, what really strengthens your faith firmly are your personal experiences in life that anchored your faith in Jesus. Therefore, don’t let the storm of life drown your sorrows, but anchor your faith in Jesus to stay grounded. When you do, you can walk on water like Peter when your eyes are fixed on Jesus. Don’t look away from Christ, because you'll fall like Peter too from the storm's wrath.