Understanding - and hope - from King David

By Tammy Pinkston

Read through the following Psalms: Psalm 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8

They are copied below in the New Living and Amplified translation, but you may also want to read them from your own favorite translation and even compare them using online scripture search tools such as http://bible.crosswalk.com or http://studylight.org  Write down some of the things that really speak to you in your computer or paper journal.

These are all Psalms of David.  Watch for two things: 1) indications that David is in distress (i.e. having difficulty or depression) and 2) ways God responds to that (or ways David declares that God responds). For example, in Psalm 3:2 David says “Many are saying of me there is no help for him in God” (he’s in distress) and in Psalm 3:4 David says “With my voice I cry to the Lord and He hears and answers me” (God hears him and responds).  Also watch for the contrast of when David refers to himself as innocent, righteous or godly OR in need of God’s grace, compassion and mercy...sometimes we are innocent and we still face great distress or depression, other times we face great distress or depression because of something we’ve done (or left undone) – in both situations, God is quick to respond with love and compassion and help.

This “exercise” is to help you realize a very famous, real person who is one of the greatest men of God in recorded history (God called him “a man after My own heart” Ps. 89:20-21, 1 Sam 13:14) dealt with depression and other struggles and God helped him through it – we can look back now after the fact and see what a great man King David was, yet forget about what he went through day to day.  This will hopefully bring you some encouragement that God will do the same for you!

Psalm 3

NLT

1 A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!" Interlude 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.4 I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude5 I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.7 Arise, O LORD! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!8 Victory comes from you, O LORD. May your blessings rest on your people. Interlude

AMP

A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son.
1LORD, HOW they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
2Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
3But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
5I lay down and slept; I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me.
6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.
7Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 4

NLT

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. Answer me when I call, O God who declares me innocent. Take away my distress. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make these groundless accusations? How long will you pursue lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The LORD has set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. 4 Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5 Offer proper sacrifices, and trust in the LORD. 6 Many people say, "Who will show us better times?" Let the smile of your face shine on us, LORD. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine.8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

AMP

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1ANSWER ME when I call, O God of my righteousness (uprightness, justice, and right standing with You)! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.
2O you sons of men, how long will you turn my honor and glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and futility and seek after lies? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
3But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and heeds when I call to Him.
4Be angry [or stand in awe] and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
5Offer just and right sacrifices; trust (lean on and be confident) in the Lord.
6Many say, Oh, that we might see some good! Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.
7You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly.
8In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.

Psalm 5

NLT

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute. O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you. 3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. 4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the slightest sin. 5 Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. 6 You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers. 7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple. 8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn. 9 My enemies cannot speak one truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with flattery. 10 O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they rebel against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy. 12 For you bless the godly, O LORD, surrounding them with your shield of love.

AMP

To the Chief Musician; on wind instruments. A Psalm of David.
1LISTEN TO my words, O Lord, give heed to my sighing and groaning.
2Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
3In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].
4For You are not a God Who takes pleasure in wickedness; neither will the evil [man] so much as dwell [temporarily] with You.
5Boasters can have no standing in Your sight; You abhor all evildoers.
6You will destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors [and rejects] the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and mercy; I will worship toward and at Your holy temple in reverent fear and awe of You.
8Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way level (straight and right) before my face.
9For there is nothing trustworthy or steadfast or truthful in their talk; their heart is destruction [or a destructive chasm, a yawning gulf]; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter and make smooth with their tongue.
10Hold them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own designs and counsels; cast them out because of the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.
11But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
12For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).

Psalm 6

NLT

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.  O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. 2 Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my body is in agony. 3 I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? 4 Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. 5 For in death, who remembers you? Who can praise you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from sobbing. Every night tears drench my bed; my pillow is wet from weeping. 7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.  8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my crying. 9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer. 10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.

AMP

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set [possibly] an octave below. A Psalm of David.
1O LORD, rebuke me not in Your anger nor discipline and chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
2Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak (faint and withered away); O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3My [inner] self [as well as my body] is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled. But You, O Lord, how long [until You return and speak peace to me]?
4Return [to my relief], O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy.
5For in death there is no remembrance of You; in Sheol (the place of the dead) who will give You thanks?
6I am weary with my groaning; all night I soak my pillow with tears, I drench my couch with my weeping.
7My eye grows dim because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies.
8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.  
9The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord receives my prayer.
10Let all my enemies be ashamed and sorely troubled; let them turn back and be put to shame suddenly.

Psalm 8

NLT

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.  O LORD, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 2 You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise. They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place – 4 what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?5 For you made us only a little lower than God,0 and you crowned us with glory and honor. 6 You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things – 7 the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. 9 O LORD, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!

AMP

To the Chief Musician; set to a Philistine lute, or [possibly] to a particular Hittite tune. A Psalm of David.
1O LORD, our Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory on [or above] the heavens.
2Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have established strength because of Your foes, that You might silence the enemy and the avenger.
3When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established,
4What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?
5Yet You have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenly beings], and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet:  
7All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field,
8The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9O Lord, our Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your name in all the earth!