“A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no deliverance for him in God.’
Selah.
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain.
Selah.
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people!
Selah.”

I’ve always been a little conflicted by some of David’s Psalms. He sings that the Lord is a shield, his glory, and the One who lifts his head; yet David brought a good chunk of these troubles down upon himself. I find troubling the ego of David to say that the Lord will deliver him from the trials that were a result of his own sins.

I think there is great comfort we can draw from Psalms like this; however, that comfort has always had an edge to it that I can not fully appreciate.

I can appreciate David’s final line: “Salvation belings to the Lord; Your blessing by upon Your people!” Salvation in all its forms is the possession of God which he may freely give as he chooses. I have no right to salvation and I have no choice in who receives salvation. My duty is to by among God’s people so I may receive God’s blessing.