Have you ever considered how strange it is that David — the most famous king of Israel, the one who slayed Goliath — spent so much time writing poetry?
There are 150 Psalms in the Old Testament. It would take you 5 hours to read through the whole book without stopping. And 73 of those Psalms are given the title, “Psalm of David.”
If you aren’t familiar with the book of Psalms, here’s what you need to know: The book of Pslams is a book of songs. God’s people have been meditating on and singing these words for thousands of years. And King David wrote almost half of them.
How did David find so much time to write? And how was he so good at it? I mean think about it. The Old Testament is full of war stories. Enemies have always surrounded God’s people, which means war has always been on the horizon.
Shouldn’t the King of Israel spend a little more time in the situation room and a little less time walking the gardens with a pen in his hand?
I bet a few of David’s servants had similar thoughts. But once you learn about David's childhood, it starts to make sense. David watched a tormented man find rest for his broken heart and weary mind through song.
Let me show you what I'm talking about.
I NEED A MUSICIAN
Saul was the king of Israel before David. He was a man who thought that he knew better than everyone - including the LORD. After a series of rebellious actions, the LORD removed his protection from Saul and allowed "an evil spirit" to attack him.
The Bible never describes this evil spirit. We aren't sure what it looked like or what it was doing to Saul. The only thing we do know is that Saul's servants told the tormented king to find someone who knows how to play an instrument and see if that might help with his unwelcome guest.
And who did they select to play for Saul? A teenage boy who had just been anointed king and would soon slay the giant Goliath: David.
This overlooked teenage boy had one job. When the king is attacked by the evil spirit, start playing the instrument. So that’s what he did. We aren’t sure how many times this happened, but we do know what happened every single time he played.
“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” 1 Samuel 16:23
How many times do you think David played for King Saul before he made the connection between worship and peace of mind?
Five? Ten? Fifteen?
Playing for the tormented king, David realized…
Worship is an act of spiritual warfare. It pushes back the darkness - both inside and outside of us - so that we can find freedom and live with a newfound confidence in the LORD.
This is why David wasn’t wasting his time when he was writing any of those 73 Psalms. He was finding rest when his heart was broken and his mind weary.
A KING WHO SINGS
The most popular Psalm David ever wrote is Psalm 23. It goes like this.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.”
This Psalm has an extraordinary ability to strengthen our broken and fearful hearts in the face of death. This is why it has been read in every hospital and quoted at countless funerals.
We shouldn’t assume that David wrote this song when everything was going his way. Often times, the most beautiful and hope filling songs were written smack dab in the middle of suffering.
David may have been the king of Israel, but he suffered immense heartbreak.
David was persecuted and driven into the wilderness as a fugitive for years.
David watched one of his infant children die after birth.
David watched one of his adult children commit unspeakable evil.
David himself committed adultery with another woman and while hiding it from others said it felt like his “bones were wasting away.”
Those are just a few of the ways David suffered, but I think you get the point. When he penned those famous words, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” he wasn’t writing it while someone fed him grapes as he sat upon his throne. He was more than likely crushed, burdened, fearful of the future… until he remembered his God - the Great Shepherd - who walks with him through every valley. And he couldn’t help but sing about it.
So when the day of trouble comes, don’t forget to sing. Follow the well-worn path previous generations have left for us by immersing yourself in the book of Psalms. Read them in the morning. Sing them before you fall asleep. Create worship playlists you can sing today that will carry you through the valley of the shadow of death tomorrow.
Let me end this post with a song that Shane and Shane wrote based off of Psalm 46 that has deeply encouraged me in my own day of trouble.
So happy to find your newsletter!! I’ve shared it already, as the very first one I read spoke to me so clearly. Keep up the good work young man. We are all very proud of you.