Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom of David -Part 3
David’s Wise Prayers
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“I love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,”
(Ps 18:1–2) NASB 95
This week we look at the evidence of David’s wisdom in some of the Psalms attributed to him. His fear of the Lord, and utter dependence on God was evident in the prayers of his Psalms. As he was a boy, then when he fled from king Saul for a decade, and then as he was king-warrior leading in many conflicts, he exhibited his love for God and dependence on Him.
Going through David’s Psalms provides a clear theology of his fear of the Lord (the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10), his dependence on the Lord for his life and God’s people. Here is a small sampling of David’s theology:
- The Creator gives evidence of His glory– “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1–3)
- God’s written Word is perfect – The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:7–9).
- God is the rescuer of His people – Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. (Ps 20:6–7; see also Psalm 21)
- God is a personal Shepherd Who leads us through life – “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
- God provides the way to live and alone delivers personal salvation –Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4–5; see also Psalm 27:11).
- God is the Comforter of the Sufferer – My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest. Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. … They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.” (Ps 22:1–3, 18) This Psalm has prophetic meaning where Jesus is the sufferer. Jesus quoted verse 1 on the cross and John cited Psalm 22:18 as a fulfilment of the disposal of Jesus’ garments after the crucifixion (John 19:24). The writer to the Hebrews cites Psalm 22:22 (Heb 2:12) as a fulfillment of the humbling of Jesus the Savior.
Many other Psalms are attributed to David by commentators, including 11, 13,22, 31,40,52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 54,59,59,64,64,109,120,141, and 142.
David’s Psalms exhibit the wisdom of great reverence for God, the awe of acknowledging His works in creation and in our lives, and the praise of His character in shepherding the lives of those who depend on Him.