Friday 04 July 2008

Background

1 Samuel 20 and26 tell the story behind this psalm. David fled to thearea of Ziph to escape the wrath of King Saul, who wanted to killhim. While there, David provided help to the people of Ziph in thefight against their enemies, the Philistines. However, David wasbetrayed by the men of Ziph when they told Saul where he washiding. He had been let down badly by people he thought were hisfriends.

David calls twice upon the power of God's name. Once to save himand once to give thanks.

Names are important in the Bible. They were chosen very carefullyto express not only the character of the person but also the wholepurpose and direction of their life. God's name was to be honoured.It held power, it provided hope for God's people and it gaveinsight into their world. Knowing the name of another meant that arelationship was possible. There was a new link or a connectionwhen names had been shared.

God's name was revealed to Moses when Moses asked God personallyin Exodus3:13-16. "Yahweh. I am that I am" (translated into Hebrew as'Yahweh') was the reply. Since then, many other names have beenused to describe God.

David uses some of them in verse 4 of this psalm - "helper","upholder of my life", "Lord". But in calling on the 'name of God'he is surely reminding himself of God's purposes for the world. Itis this that ultimately leads to praise and deliverance.

To Ponder

What name for (or description of) God is mostimportant to you today? Why?

How do you see the whole purpose of God unfoldingin the world?

When you have been let down by your friends, howdo you pray for them and the situation?