Overview: NET The psalmist combines a song of thanksgiving for a recent act of divine deliverance (vv. 1–11) with a confident petition for renewed divine intervention (vv. 12–17).
Structure: EBC
A. Personal Experience of Salvation (vv. 1–3)
B. Blessedness of God’s Protection (vv. 4–5)
C. Expression of Commitment (vv. 6–8)
D. Proclamation of God’s Perfections (vv. 9–10)
D′. Prayer for God’s Perfections (v. 11)
C′. Confession of Sin (v. 12)
B′. Prayer for God’s Protection (vv. 13–16)
A′. Personal Need of Salvation (v. 17)
1. v.11 become the center point of this psalm
11 O LORD, you do not withhold your compassion from me.
May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me!
EBC The preceding celebration and proclamation of God’s perfections form the basis of the king’s supplication. A new crisis has arisen. He prays that Yahweh will continue to bestow his covenant “love” (ḥeseḏ) and fidelity or “truth” (ʾemeṯ) [faithfulness] to his anointed servant and through him to the nation.
loyal love and faithfulness x2 in v.11, 12, and it was a common combination in many psalms (BDB) ψ 25:10; 40:11, 12; 57:4; 61:8; 85:11; 89:15; 115:1; 138:2 and Genesis 24:27 “Praised be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master!..."
Summary: When people who lives under the covenant/promise of God they know that He is the one who abides to His covenant. He will protect them because of His loyal love and faithfulness.
2. R.W.-Hurry
v.13 O LORD, hurry and help me! v.17 O my God, do not delay.
v. 12 My sins overtake me
Summary: When our sins and the resulting dangers catching up on us we want rescue fast. We want God not just to help, but to help us now.
To compare A and A' the past experience of salvation become the bases for David to ask for help. He believed that God would help him (due to his covenantal relationship with God) and therefore he asked that be done soon.
Compare C and C' David's sin was the cause of his dangers, but he did not worry about that. He was committed to live to please God under the Law v.6-8.
EBC Commitment to the Lord is in the form of “open ears.” The psalmist has heard the law of God—especially the requirements of kingship, to which he responds with an open ear (see Notes; see also appendix to Ps 19: The Word of God). Commitment to the Lord is also in the form of a personal preparedness to do the will of God (“Here I am,” v. 7; cf. Isa 6:8). The servant presents himself to his Lord, submitting himself completely to whatever his Master may require (cf. Heb 10:9). David, the Lord’s anointed, presents himself as a dedicatory offering to the Lord (cf. Rom 12:1–2). Commitment to the Lord is also in the form of a wholehearted desire to conform one’s way of life to the will of God, as prescribed in the Word of God (“the scroll,” v. 7).
3. Reflection: When I am in imminent danger, do I remember how God has saved me? Do I trust God Who will abide to His promise to me? Even my danger was caused by my sins do I commit myself to the will of God?
4. NMM Questions: When you make excuses for your sinful "mistakes," what part of reality does that deny? How does God's grace for sin give you hope today?
Sin is not a mistakes, but our nature.
Because of what Jesus has done for me the punishment of sins is taken away. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus Rom 8:1. The power of enslavement is broken Rom 6:6.
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