David attributes everything to God in verses 1-2: strength, fortress, deliverer, trust, shield, salvation, and stronghold. Then, in verses 31-34 David describes that God, “makes my way perfect, He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
God makes us able to do things. We, or I, often struggle with my purpose– what does God want me to do? Well, based off of the verses above, I think God makes us good at what He will for us to do. He wanted David to be a good fighter and a mighty leader- so God gave him the ability to do so. I also think a point can be made about medicine, science, and healthcare. If God can give David feet like deer, hands for war, and muscles strong enough to bend bronze, can’t God give someone hands for medicine and muscles to build healthcare tools? God is with us, He uses us, and forms us to do His will. The most important thing is to be in relationship with Him and study His word and be in prayer and He will lead you the correct way.
I absolutely LOVE the next part, verses 35-36, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand (which we now know is Jesus) has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip.”
I love that David describes it as Gods gentleness that made him great and that God enlarged the path for him. As someone who takes care of children all day, I get this. I want them to be successful so I am gentle and I enlarge their path. That’s how much God loves His children. This is an especially nice passage after reading verses 7-15 in which David describes the angry, mean version of the Lord that destroyed his enemies. I really want to make sure I am on God’s side after reading this chapter.
The only thing David attributes to himself is his faithfulness to the Lord (verses 20-24). David made the claim that he was blameless before the Lord and not wicked. All other things, David gives to God. David says, “You have armed me with strength for the battle.” (verse 39). The only thing we can claim is our faithfulness to God (and really, I”m not even so sure about that one because God is the one who saved me after all) but ALL other successes belong to Him.
Finally, the Psalm ends in a great prayer (46-50) which I bookmarked in my own bible to refer to later on.
Today I agree with the prayer in 46-50 and I am thankful to belong to the Lord and for all He has given me, all He has brought me through, and all the work He has yet to do in me. Amen.
Living Life with Jesus 