A Tale of Two Psalms

Lief Holmes

I was reading in Psalm 51 the other day, probably one of the most famous psalms in the Bible, next to Psalm 23. Both psalms (or songs) are written by David. What a contrast there is, though, between the two songs! In Psalm 23 David writes a beautiful song that illustrates the provision, security, and guidance that God gives. In Psalm 51, however, David writes a gut-wrenching song of confession, repentance and renewal before God.

You may not think that these two psalms would have anything in common, but there is one very real and very important trait that they share – and that is WHO they are addressed to. From the beginning of Psalm 51, David immediately begins with, “Have mercy on me, O God,” and continues throughout the psalm to pray earnestly and, at times, gut-wrenchingly from his heart. I imagine tears streaming down his face as he writes words like, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” In Psalm 23, it takes a bit longer as he begins by describing his relationship with God. However, as he describes walking through the trials and struggles of life he switches to addressing God directly, with words such as, “I will fear no evil for you are with me,” and “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

I believe that in these two songs, the essence of why David is described in the Bible as “a man after God’s own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14) is captured. I do not believe it was because he was a giant slayer, or because of the many military victories he won, or because of the numerous songs/music that he wrote, or even because as King of Israel he shepherded God’s people with integrity of heart and skillful hands (Psalm 78:70-72). I believe it was because the same childlike faith, and trust, and hope, and dependence upon God that is found in Psalm 23 when David was just a young man, is the same childlike faith, trust, hope, and dependence that is found in Psalm 51, which was written some 20-30+ years later.

The young, inexperienced, obscure shepherd boy and the seasoned, famous, regal king are the same man. As I read and contemplate Psalm 23 and Psalm 51 – though written under very different circumstances and for very different reasons – I realize they both share the same theme: A complete and utter dependence on God. This is what made David (and anyone else) someone after God’s own heart!

I often think of Peter as the parallel of David in the New Testament. They share much of the same character traits like passion, zeal, impetuousness, and failure. It is fitting then that in John 6:68, Peter also expressed that same theme of complete and utter dependence as David did, when Peter exclaimed to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Indeed, Lord Jesus. Indeed. Whether we are living in the serenity of Psalm 23 or the turmoil of Psalm 51, where else can we go? We are completely and utterly dependent upon you.