Psalm 70

Summary: David sends a cry of emergency to God. He wants his enemies shamed and disgraced, and the godly (himself included) joyful and praising.

Response: I have to try to take it all in. I want to conveniently ignore the hatred, but it's in there in both directions. David was a warrior and battle was how he knew to solve problems. Maybe if he knew that God had (and still has) other solutions besides violence, he would've written about them instead. If anything, Jesus' insistence on loving enemies stands in stark contrast to David's feelings, which is okay, but I know Who I'm supposed to follow.

Psalm 69

Summary: David imagines his situation as being stuck in mud and deep water. While he knows he sins, he also has false accusers that he wants God to deal with. David brings more than just his prescribed physical offering, but adds his personal worship.

Response: If there's one feeling I can relate with David on, it's feeling like you need to keep your head above water (a close second would be asking enemies to die though, in my case, they are fleas that are currently in my basement and garage. Yay). Lord, help me to focus on You and give You the time You deserve. You are worth my time. You are worth my praise. Slow me down so I can better do Your will.

Psalm 68

Summary: David exalts God as a great military leader. By keeping Israel's enemies under submission, He keeps Israel safe.

Response: I will admit I'm still working on getting a grasp on David's propensity for battle. This is one path I haven't tried yet: what if David feels (probably true) that military strength was his only path to true peace and that he more or less needed the biggest hero around?

Psalm 67

Summary: The psalmist wants God to bless the psalmist's people, that the world might see those blessings and praise God.

Response: I mean, yeah? But we are blessed for much more than showing God's glory as an end in itself. God's blessings are meant to be shared, from time and money to skills and relationships. It's hard, but worth it to get past "bless me" to "bless through me."

Psalm 66

Summary: David sees the whole earth worshiping God. He recounts a defining act, when God parted the waters for His people to cross. Even though the relationship isn't perfect on humans' ends, God still offers discipline, mercy, and renewal. David finishes by extending an invitation to that same relationship.

Response: God really is worthy of all this praise. So many times, I'll go through the motions, but I don't want to be desensitized to God's greatness.

Psalm 65

Summary: David praises God for His mercy. In His forgiveness, God chooses to gift the earth His abundance.

Response: Yes, I like this one a bit better, not because I'm not challenged by it. You have to be in a certain mood to accept God's forgiveness, and I don't always have that.

Psalm 64

Summary: David contends that, even though people try (and sometimes succeed) in hurting innocents, God sees and doles out justice.

Response: And, again, I prefer to focus less on the God who avenges and more on the God who saves. But thanks I guess for the vengeance? I suppose I'd rather a perfect God try to wield it than me; I'd let it get to my head.