Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
This chapter is a psalm of praise to God for keeping David safe in his troubles. It's also in the book of Psalms (Psalm 18). It uses vivid imagery drawn from storms and floods to depict the trials of David's life – and our own – and portrays God as the almighty Rescuer who delivers him from natural and human enemies.
It also contains one very strange section indeed. Verses 21–28 link God's favour to our behaviour: 'O Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you, and completely good to those who are perfect,' David says (verse 26). But we know that God is faithful to the faithless, and that none of us is perfect. And he also says, 'I have obeyed the law of the Lord; I have not turned away from my God' (verse 22). But he has committed adultery and murder.
On the face of it, David is delusional. But when we read these words in the context of what we know from Scripture's teaching elsewhere about grace and forgiveness, they become an expression of profound hope. Isaiah 1.18 says, 'You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.' David is writing of himself as he is in the eyes of God: not sinless, but a forgiven sinner. Sadness and regret at sin are enduring, and ought to be. But they are overlaid by joy at God's grace.
God, let me not forget my sins and failures; but let me always remember your mercy and love.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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