Oppressed Yet Rejoicing in the Lord

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

Text: Psalm 64-65

Psalm 65:4

Blessed is the man You choose,And cause to approach You,That he may dwell in Your courts.We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,Of Your holy temple.

(NKJV)

In a troubled world, we will have struggles and need to find a way to get through them. These psalms give us a glimpse into how David got through the many struggles in his life. Although oppressed by many enemies, David rejoiced in the Lord, knowing He was the source of his salvation and provision. We must also learn to rejoice in the Lord in times of oppression, praising Him as our source of salvation through Christ, our source of provision.

Psalm 64 begins with David asking God to hear his voice in his meditation, preserving him from the fear of the enemy (Psalm 64:1). He gets specific, asking the Lord to hide him from the secret plots of the wicked workers of iniquity who sharpen their tongues like a sword and shoot arrows of bitter words (Psalm 64:2-3). These evil workers of iniquity shoot in secret at the blameless without fear (Psalm 64:4). They find encouragement in secretly laying snares, believing none will see them, and devise iniquities through the shrewd schemes of their evil hearts (Psalm 64:5-6).

However, God will suddenly wound them when He shoots them with an arrow that causes them to stumble over their own tongue, causing all who see them to flee (Psalm 64:7-8). Seeing this will cause all men to fear and declare the work of God, wisely considering His doing (Psalm 64:9). In the end, the righteous shall be glad in the Lord and trust in Him with all the upright in heart giving Him glory (Psalm 64:10).

Praise is awaiting God in Zion with vows made to Him performed with all flesh coming to God who hears prayer (Psalm 65:1-2). Iniquities prevail against David, but his transgression will be atoned for by the Lord (Psalm 65:3). A man chosen by God and caused to approach Him is blessed with him dwelling in the courts of the Lord and finding satisfaction in the goodness of His holy temple (Psalm 65:4). God answers us through awesome deeds in righteousness and is the confidence of the ends of the earth and far-off seas. (Psalm 65:5). The Lord establishes the mountains by His strength, stills the noise of the seas and the tumult of the people, with all dwelling in the farthest parts afraid of His signs (Psalm 65:6-8).

The Lord visits and waters the earth, with the earth enriched so it can prepare grain (Psalm 65:9). The Lord waters the ridges of the earth, settling its furrows, making it soft with showers, and blessing its growth (Psalm 65:10). The Lord crowns the year with His goodness with His paths dripping with abundance that drops on the pastures of the wilderness with the little hills rejoicing on every side (Psalm 65:11-12). The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are covered with grain, singing and shouting for joy (Psalm 65:13).

David can rejoice in the Lord even though he is oppressed by the wicked. He also praises God for His salvation and providence, giving us a glimpse into the heart of a man after God’s own heart.

• Psalm 64: Rejoicing in oppression – David cries out to God, asking Him to hide him from the secret plots of the wicked and workers of iniquity. While their plans are devised in secret using a sharp tongue and bitter words, God will suddenly wound them with an arrow of His own (Psalm 64:2, 7). God will cause David’s enemies to stumble over their own words or use their own weapons against them. This will cause all who see the enemy to flee and demonstrate the work of God. The righteous will see this and be glad and place their trust in the Lord.

• Psalm 65: Praise to God for salvation and provision – Despite his many enemies who wanted to kill him, David had a heart of praise to God for salvation and providence. David understood that the source of his salvation was the Lord, who provided atonement for sins. David also knew God was the source of his provision, for it is God who controls and enriches the earth (Psalm 65:9-10). God is the provider of our salvation and provision, and it is He who deserves our praise.

Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience trouble with the promise that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). However, when times of trouble come, will we buckle under pressure or be like David, who was able to rejoice in the Lord and praise Him for His salvation and provision? While David looked forward to salvation from God symbolized by the annual sacrifice of a spotless lamb at Passover, we can look back at the provision of salvation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). However, since we have never met Jesus face-to-face, we need faith that what Jesus did for us is true (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus said He was the way, not a way to salvation so I challenge everyone reading this to ask themselves if they have faith to believe Jesus provided salvation from sin with his death, burial, and resurrection (John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10).

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation, believing in faith that Jesus died to atone for your sins, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.