The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms

by Timothy J. Keller

THE LESSON REMEMBERED. In verse 5 David counsels himself with the lesson of verse 1. The battle to shape our hearts with the truths our minds know is never over. And here indeed is the great truth of the Bible, the Gospel—salvation comes from God alone, not from ourselves or any effort we can produce (Jonah 2:9). “To the one who does not work but trusts [rests in] God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). David talks not just to himself but to “you people” (verse 8). We can best help others with their fears and distress when we have been through our own and found God faithful, our rock and our refuge. Prayer: Lord, the deepest impulse of my heart is to do things to secure your blessing rather than rest in what Christ has done for me. This only makes me anxious and in turn insecure and self-righteous. Teach me to “cast my deadly ‘doing’ down—down at Jesus feet” and to “stand in him, in him alone, gloriously complete.”45 Amen.