6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. “Selah”
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalms 32:6-11
Unfailing love, protection, songs of deliverance, these are the things God promises in this section to the man who is godly and trusts in the Lord. He promises to protect us and keep the mighty waters at bay. But what does that mean? I find it interesting he never speaks of deliverance in the fact that David is restored completely. If we picture this we see a man hiding from adversity and being surrounded by God’s unfailing love while singing songs of deliverance. Hiding from adversity surely does not sound like someone who has attained deliverance from his troubles or should be singing about such victory. Would someone with their adversities still looming sing songs of praise? Maybe it is the hope of deliverance and the net of safety that brings about a faith that burst forth songs and a blanket of holy love. If the waters rise on such a man then the hiding place is above where the waters cannot reach him (see verse 6).
If a man hides, he cannot go about his business. he is cut off. He cannot hide and overcome his troubles at the same time. However, the Godly man David speaks of can do both. He is being affected by the afflictions but not harmed in a way that prevents him from overcoming his affliction (aka water). Consider this metaphor, two men on the battlefield. One righteous, one wicked. Both are hit with arrows during intense battle. The wicked dies and is defeated. But, the righteous man in agony pulls his arrow out and continues on with the battle seemingly unaffected. However, he is still affected by the pain of the arrow and the anguish of correcting the situation.
In this whole section, we get a sense God is helping us along, protecting us from emanate destruction and providing comfort through the pain with songs and love. Yet, he could just wipe away all the pain and struggle but he does not. It is like he is keeping your head above water but not pulling you out. This is the result of the pray of the godly (v6).
So, what about victory? When do we see the waters leave and deliverance come? For David in this passage and often for us, the victory is the process itself and not the end result. This is victory because we are able to step outside of the hiding place when the waters have subsided. you will be and are victorious. The victory is right now in your heart that is surrounded by God. God leaves no way for escape. You will find his love if you are open and willing.
In verse 6 and 9, in the middle of talking about God’s mercy and protection of the godly, he brings up the point of the horse and the mule. We are not to be like them. They are controlled and told where to go. Here God is encouraging us to free our minds. Think outside the box. We should not be controlled by the world. Do not let the world dictate what you believe but let God instruct and teach you (v8). So many in this world read the Word through the filter of the world. We are to read and believe as is, not according to an agenda.
No responses yet