Here is a wonderful example of the essential characteristics of a righteous man.
Consider first, his plight. David describes himself as an outcast, overwhelmed by his circumstances. Outcast, to the point where he deems himself on the very perimeter of the earth, in danger, perhaps, of being flung off into the darkness of outer space. And such is his assessment of his situation that he is overwhelmed by it, feeling powerless against it.
Now you may be tempted to say, "That is hardly a characteristic of the righteous." But I think it is, though not all the righteous recognize it. In this present world we are in a situation hostile to us in more ways than one, and devoted to our destruction. Of old the saints were described as "pilgrims and strangers:" "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth [Heb. 11:13]." And the same terminology is applied to believers in our dispensation: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation [I Pet. 2:11-12]." If we really understood the nature of the situation, we, too, would be "overwhelmed," as sometimes we are.
The second characteristic evident here is evident in his pledge. Here, in the context in fact, is a four-fold pledge. First, his plea: "I will cry unto Thee (v.2)." The man of God knows where to go in his time of need. His expectation is not from Washington, nor from welfare, but from God. Second, his place: "I will abide abide in Thy tabernacle forever (v.4a)." Compare this with John 15:7 for the New Testament principle. Third, "I will trust in the covert of Thy wings (v.4b)." Faith in the security of the Living God is the bedrock of afflicted soul. Fourth, "I will sing praise unto Thy name for ever… (v.8). " Seeking God and finding grace to help in time of need eventuates in singing His praises for ever. To this the Psalmist pledges himself by an act of the will, and you and I as believers should do the same. It will take God to bring it to pass, but the decision must first be ours, dedicating the redeemed will to His purpose and praise.
The third characteristic of the righteous man is made evident in his petition; "Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." Recognizing that the world beneath his feet is quicksand, the enlightened believer beseeches the Lord for solid ground to stand on. This Rock is first defined in the Song of Moses; "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he [Deut. 32:1-4]." Then there is a very beautiful prayer by a humble woman who understood as an individual the significance of this figure: "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed [I Sam. 2:1-3]."
In the New Testament, of course, the figure is applied to the Lord Jesus Christ (See I Cor. 10:1-3), and He is the ultimate object of the Psalmist's prayer. Be the storms of life many or few, there is but one place where we can find security and hope, and that is in the Lord Himself. "All other ground is sinking sand." Where do you stand?
For assurance in a world of uncertainty,
"Pastor" Frasier
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