Memorialize Trauma - Psalms 57-59

Psalms 59:1-2 (ESV)

Deliver Me from My Enemies

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO DO NOT DESTROY. A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN SAUL SENT MEN TO WATCH HIS HOUSE IN ORDER TO KILL HIM.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;

protect me from those who rise up against me;

deliver me from those who work evil,

and save me from bloodthirsty men.

Probably most of us have never been on the run, attempting to avoid certain, carried out by the warriors of the King.   That situation does not come across our path much, if ever.  But, that is the setting for the above passage.  David, on the run from King Saul, is being hunted like a dog.  He is hiding in caves and behind rocks and in crevices of darkness.  He fears for his life.   He has no power.  He has as his own “army” only a small band of men (mostly wanted, dead or alive, also).  Out maned, out matched and out maneuvered, David has one KEY help available:  David has God on his side.  Remember, it was God early, through the prophet Samuel, who anointed David to be king instead of Saul.  This is, of course, Saul’s problem.  Saul wants to destroy David, so he can remain on his throne and in power.   But, David has God.  In Psalm 59 we have David’s plea for help from God.   Although he is in a cave and on the run, David takes a moment to pen a song.   After David becomes king, this “song” will be presented to the “choirmaster” to be used in worship services.  Here is a key for our musings and meditations.   David had an experience in his life that would fit our description of a life trauma.   In the midst of the trauma, David does allow it to crush him, he turns to God for support. He sings praises to God for His power and HIs deliverance (even though David won’t actually experience that for years to come).  In faith David waits upon God for protection and for God to fulfill His promises and allow David to become the king.  BUT, David also memorializes his trauma.  He does not bury it or suppress it, he turns it into a song he can use later to praise God, teach his nation and encourage those who follow in faith (like us).  We may not ever have to be on the run from the government that is trying to kill us (although we grow closer to that situation every day), but we can rejoice that when suffering at the hands of others comes, we don’t have to be conquered by it. We have a God who walks with us in it and will carry us through it.