Psalm 37

Summary: David again compares the wicked to the godly. The latter group has God's protection and gains land that the former group loses.

Response: I guess my big problem with us-vs-them is that it gives up. Yes, there are people who are just plain wicked, who know they are doing wrong and delight in it. And I certainly know very few truly godly people, though the ones that come closest are still bright diamonds in the rough. But I feel like most of us are just tossed around, almost too busy to fight a lot of battles without God's help. To give up on someone like that, lump them in with the truly evil, and carry on just irks me.

Psalm 36

Summary: David describes evil people, being selfish to the core. He then describes God, ever loving. Finally, as he's done before, he asks God's protection from evil in his life.

Response: I'll be honest: many times, I feel less like the righteous in this chapter and closer to the wicked. I don't like to be there, but if I'm honest, I know I can't get to that other side on my own. For me, it's not "save me because I'm righteous" so much as "save me from my own wickedness."

Psalm 35

Summary: David tells God to protect him from his enemies. In return, David will praise God wherever and whenever.

Response: Again, even knowing that David and I are different beasts, I spent the whole psalm going "nope nope nope."  Telling God what to do, more us vs them (including "I'm perfect" and "kill them"), making praise conditional... The list goes on. I'm trying to find a pivot here. The best I have is that I'm sure I'd say much of the same if I was actually in the life-or-death situation David was in.

Psalm 34

Summary: David praises God, who protects and provides for those who trust Him. Unlike the wicked, who destroy themselves, God's natural act is to defend the godly.

Response: Again, this is the goal. I'd love to be here that whole time, but I know I'm not there nearly often enough. Side note, I loved the us mentality of the psalm up until he had to go in the direction of us vs them.

Psalm 33

Summary: David sings God's praises because He created and cultivates the world and everyone in it. Not only is He in charge of little details in Earth's physical makeup, but He guides each heart.

Response: I'm a musician, and sometimes my mind will do what animators call "Mickey Mousing," where a song will fit into the scenario in question. But my brain will tend to focus on a song's technical aspects before the lyrics, which kind of defeats the purpose. I guess what I'm saying is, I hope to have given more control up in what/how I think so God can give me more focus.

Psalm 32

Summary: David talks through God's forgiveness. Without it, he wastes away. Once he has it, he is safe and hears praises to God from others who have it. And he gets to make those praises himself!

Response: If I remember correctly, the selah thing here is a break in the action. If this had had musical accompaniment at any point, I'm pretty sure the guitar (or more likely lute) solo would have gone there. But it helps chop the song up so we get these different aspects of the story, which I greatly appreciate. And we have yet another glimpse of Human David, who is less than perfect and will admit it! I like that guy because I know that I'm that way, too.

Psalm 31

Summary: David paints a picture of the end of his days, where enemies are still persecuting him. He thinks it is his end, that God has abandoned him because of his sin, but God steps in and serves as his shelter.

Response: I'm not sure if David was actually older when he wrote this, but a less brash and more pensive tone is good evidence toward that notion. Lord, I too have failed again and again. Yet you continue to shelter me and provide for me. Your love really is amazing!