2 Samuel 22:32-43 – Singing These Words in Christ
Perhaps someone will say: ‘Well if this song is really about Jesus then, does it have any relevance to me?’ Yes! More so, in fact, than if these were just the words of David. Because by faith we’re joined on to Jesus. So what’s true of him in this song becomes true of us. One example is verses 17-19. In 1762, during the persecution of Protestants in France, a 27-year old minister called Francis Rochette was arrested. Three brothers, from a noble family, tried to rescue him, but the rescue attempt failed. All four of them were condemned to death. As they awaited execution, they sung those verses. If those words had just been a historical record of David’s rescue from the hands of Saul, what hope would that have given those four martyrs? Perhaps it would have given them some. God had done this for David in the past – perhaps he would do it for them as well. But if these words ultimately describe not just a rescue but a resurrection, and if the resurrection being described is that of Jesus, and if Jesus is the head and Christians are the body, then no wonder those four young men could sing confidently in the face of death! Because they were joined on to Christ by faith, then their resurrection was just as certain as his.
Seeing this song as ultimately about Jesus also helps us when we feel overwhelmed and burdened by sin. When our hands aren’t clean. When we have turned aside from his statutes. When we know that we’re not blameless and that we haven’t kept ourselves from guilt. When these verses are not true of us, they are ALWAYS true of him. We can take them and make them our own. Because we sing them in Christ.
Or what about verse 20? How quick would you be to say that God delights in you? As he looks at you, do you think his overwhelming feeling is one of disappointment? Or at best, grudging acceptance? We can often think that way. But if the Psalm is ultimately about Jesus, then we can say with confidence that God delights in us. Why? Because as the New Testament goes on to spell out, when God looks at us, he does so ‘in Christ’. That phrase ‘in Christ’ is all over the New Testament. Our sins – which are many – are covered by the righteous robes of Jesus Christ. And so when God looks at us, he sees the sinless perfection of his own dear son. Rather than seeing our half-hearted obedience, he sees his perfect obedience. Not because God is turning a blind eye to our sin. But because that’s what Jesus bought for us on the cross. In Christ, our sin is taken away and our guilt atoned for. God raised Jesus in order to make him the firstborn of many brothers. And as our heavenly Father looks out on his blood-bought family, he does so with delight. Because we’re covered with the righteousness of Christ.
Question
- How can this Psalm help when we are feeling overwhelmed by sin?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.