Week 20 Psalms 140-143
On the news yesterday I saw a team of sappers moving along a sunny forested road in eastern Europe. Taking their time. The countryside was clear of invaders but not clear of the landmines they’d left behind…
Maybe that image was still in memory today when I was reading psalms 140-143 (my plan was to just read 140 but the computer was running a lot of updates so I kept reading).
The four psalms are similar. They’re all written by David. They’re all short. They all have a similar vibe…they’re all I’m In A Jam Please Help Me Out psalms.
One of the things I noticed was that even though David was alert to Obvious Big Dangers – like getting assassinated – he was also aware of Trickily Disguised (But Still Potentially Deadly) Problems – like getting tripped up & trapped & snared & ambushed by his enemies…
(They) have set a trap to catch me…they have set traps all along the way
Keep me out of the traps they have set for me
Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.
David doesn’t mention traps and snares in 143 but he does ask the Lord: show me where to walk…teach me to do your will…May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
It’s a pretty good prayer: please show me where to walk. A kind of Sapper’s Prayer for negotiating zones with hidden dangers.
Note: quotes from Psalm 140:5 141:9 142:3 143:8 (NLT)