Insight for Today

Read Psalm 142:1–2

The raw emotion of David’s prayer in Psalm 142 comes through clearly in his choice of words. In his Cave of Adullam, the beleaguered future king struggled with depression and shrieked heavenward.

I used to wonder why we ever needed to utter words in prayer since God already knows all our thoughts (Psalm 139:4). Then one day I stumbled across Hosea 14:1–2.

Read Psalm 142:1–2

David’s depression most likely resulted from an unusually long period of stress. The superscript for Psalm 142, identifying David’s circumstances as “in the cave,” probably refers to the cave of Adullam. To appreciate the context, observe the first two verses of 1 Samuel 22:

Read Psalm 142:1–7

Who hasn’t struggled with those demoralizing seasons of dark sadness? Everyone suffers from grief and sorrow from time to time. But depression is a different matter. Like a disease, it’s very common, but it’s not “normal.” Depression is an extended state of mind characterized by acute sadness that most likely will not go away by itself. It needs attention.

Read Psalm 91:11–16

Having predicted your success in battle against the attacks of the devil (Psalm 91:5–10), this Psalm continues with several commitments from the Lord. He has promised to give you a tactical advantage, which the songwriter enumerates in the final verses.

Assistance against Evil

Read Psalm 91:5–10

In Psalm 91:1–4, the songwriter has acknowledged the Lord as his refuge when under attack by the forces of evil. Now in 91:5–10, he sizes up his enemy and calculates his (and our) chances of surviving the battle. (Spoiler alert: we stand a 100 percent chance of victory.)

Attitude toward Evil

Read Psalm 91:3–4

While the first two verses of Psalm 91 depict the faithful character of God, verses 3 and 4 describe what God does. The psalmist names three actions the Lord takes on our behalf:

a. He delivers: from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence

b. He covers: with His pinions/under His wings

c. He shields: by His faithfulness

Read Psalm 91:1–2

The first verse of Psalm 91, a song about battling the forces of evil, establishes the context for everything that follows. So, let’s examine these two lines closely.

Protection amid Evil

Read Psalm 91:1–16

Read Psalm 102:25; Psalm 111:10

Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.Psalm 102:25

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!Psalm 111:10

Two lingering questions are yours—and only yours—to answer:

Read Matthew 7:24–29

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters riseand the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish,like a person who builds a house on sand.When the rains and floods come and the winds get against that house,it will collapse with a mighty crash.”Matthew 7:24–27