Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In writing this psalm, David was apparently undergoing some unspecified sort of affliction or illness through God's permissive will that he was interpreting as a reminder from God of life's brevity. He was thus asking God to curtail this adverse condition (whatever it was) so that he could once again be happy, and so that he would not leave earth under such distressing circumstances, but could continue serving God through a healthy and joyful life.

18 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Billy P Eldred Supporter

I don't know for sure because, to my knowledge, the Bible does not elaborate on what David was referring to in this Psalm, but this is what comes to mind:

David had sinned by ordering a census by counting the men eligible for military duty. David did this, in my opinion as an act of pride and also showing lack of Faith that God provided his victories. The consequences (as shown in the verses below) were severe.

1 Chronicles 21:11-17 NIV
[11] So Gad went to David and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your choice: [12] three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.” [13] David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” [14] So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. [15] And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. [16] David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. [17] David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord. My God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.” 

To magnify David's sin, he chose the option to protect himself and instead chose a plague to come upon his people. In verse 17, we see that David repented of his choices and asked God for forgiveness. I can see him writing the Psalm at this time.

Repentance is what God has always asked for. Maybe this is why God chose David as one of the key figures in all the Bible?

12 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report