June 6, 2023 - Psalms 140-144

David wrote, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me” (144:1-2). Interesting that my reading, this morning, falls on June 6, when in 1944 – “D-Day” – Allied troops made the Normandy landings and the defeat of Nazi Germany began in earnest. David acknowledges that he is a warrior. God himself declared to David, “You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth” (1 Chronicles 22:8). David was a real person who lived in a real world and faced real dangers, which sometimes called for real violence against the wicked.

Here’s the thing, though: Ultimately, David put his trust, not in his ability to wage war; rather, in the Lord: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock . . . he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me” (144:1-2). A hymn verse for today? How can there be any other than the words of Martin Luther?

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing . . .

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right Man on our side,

the Man of God's own choosing.

You ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same;

and he must win the battle. –Martin Luther (1529)