In Psalm 5:11-12 we find a beautiful expression of faith and confident expectation (hope) from the Psalmist.
“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”
Please consider these points for meditation as you focus on the gracious and abundant provisions of our Lord:
- Let all who take refuge in the Lord be glad! – The idea of finding or taking refuge in the Lord implies trusting Him more than anything else. In a storm, one would run into a properly engineered building/facility that provides physical safety from the onslaughts of wind, hail, flying debris, etc. In this case, those that truly believe, run into the security of the Lord, Who has all the attributes, tools, equipment, and power necessary to protect a believer from whatever storm he or she faces. In that safe place – be glad/rejoice; the Lord your God stands, according to the Hebrew text (cakak or sakak), as your cover and defender!
- Let them ever sing with joy! – Why do we sing with joy? Because the heart of the one who rests in the Lord’s protection is rejoicing … and from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, shouts, proclaims the greatness of the Lord as He delivers one from the dangers and threats of this world, the flesh, and our enemy (Satan/Devil).
“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory!” — From 1 Peter 1:8
- May you shelter them! – This word, “shelter” (Hebrew – tsinnah) is literally a large a shield! It’s so large it covers one entirely … should one choose to dwell/remain under/behind its formidable protection. Psalm 91:4 declares,
“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
- Those who love Your name may exult in You! – Notice the connection between loving the Lord’s name (all He is and all He stands for) and the idea/concept of exulting in the Lord. A lasting internal joy or happiness with a sense of fulfillment is what the Psalmist is speaking of – an ascription of praise and gratitude from within, that might just leak out! Romans 5:11 reminds us,
“And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
Then, please notice these concluding thoughts:
1. It’s You (our Lord) who blesses the righteous!
2. It’s You (our Lord) who surround (the righteous) with favor !
Whose “shelter” is this?
Whose blessing and favor?
Shall we be grateful and rejoice?
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Indeed, how truly blessed we are as His children! –PF
