Julie
This tells in detail of the covenant that God makes with David. David wants to build a house of the Lord for the Ark to sit in, but God tells him that is not what he is meant to do. However, God does tell him that one of his sons will do that and that he will bless his line and bless his house so that his family lives on.
This psalm is asking for God's help in times of trouble. However, it also seems that those singing this hymn feel that God is not listening and is punishing them for something unknown. I don't think that is the case, but that he is testing their faithfulness and trust in him.
Michelle
This passage is about God's promise to David and David's prayer to God. As I am a bit distracted today, I had to stop my mind and refocus on reading. But a few things come to mind. God is telling David that he does not need to build a house for his ark, but that someone in his line is tasked with that and that he will raise up his offspring and establish his kingdom. So God has plans for each of us. We only need to seek them out from him directly. Which made me wonder, are there still prophets in this time? It would be really helpful to consult a prophet and have God speak thru them to guide me. I still seem to have trouble discerning God voice to me. To know what direction or action I am supposed to take. Maybe I am not praying enough for that, I don't know. The passage goes into David's prayer to God. It says that David went in and sat before God and asked "Who am I and what is my family that you have brought me this far?". As if he is not worthy of such gifts from God. I think that sometimes. That I am not worthy, but I don't think I have ever prayed that to God. He goes on to give praise and reverence to God throughout this prayer. It is kind of inspiring to read. But I could really use a prophet to tell me what God wants me to do.
I think you are right. It does seem like they are feeling punished and that God has left them, but that their faithfulness is being tested. Is that what is happening to me right now? Is my faithfulness being tested? I am trying to turn to God and to please guide me, but I can't tell if what is in my heart is just anger or if I am being led to do something about a situation. In verse 20-21 it says "If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?". This one hit me as I am certain God knows the secrets of our hearts, but right now I cannot tell if what is in my heart is anger or just hurtfulness or a desire to right the wrongs that people are doing. And I don't know how to proceed.
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