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According to Spurgeon, the title of this Psalm is, “A Psalm on the death of the son,” or “on the death of the champion.” Many have speculated that this could have been written following David’s triumph over the giant Goliath. If so, the context definitely fits that story well.
What I am drawn to is the simple truth that those who seek God will be found and those who oppose Him will suffer.
But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment, 8 And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. 9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:7-10 NASB
Henry Smith comments on these verses with a comparison.
“The guilty conscience cannot abide this day. The silly sheep, when she is taken, will not bleat, but you may carry her and do what you will with her, and she will be subject; but the swine, if she be once taken, she will roar and cry, and thinks she is never taken but to be slain. So of all things the guilty conscience cannot abide to hear of this day, for they know that when they hear of it, they hear of their own condemnation.”
Henry Smith
It’s fascinating to consider that the sheep is submissive. It will allow you to carry it and do what you want. In the same way, even when we are headed for “the slaughter” if we are in the arms of God, what can harm us? If God is for us, who can stand against us? But the swine is not this way at all. There is resistance and groaning. It will not allow you to carry it or do much of anything for that matter!
So as simple as this sounds, it is really a profound truth. Are you submissive like the sheep or hostile like the swine? What it comes down to is a matter of trust. If we believe the One holding us has our best interest in mind, we will let Him take us wherever He wants (and sometimes He will do that anyway). But if we do not believe that, we will go kicking and screaming full of anxiety and fear. So, I ask you again… which are you? Sheep or swine?