Vol.XIX No.IV Pg.1
June 1982

A Man Called David

Robert F. Turner

Often it is asked, "How could David be called a man after God's own heart? (Acts 13:22) "Like David" usually means the querist sees only the sinful side of David's life — and it is certainly there. But someone has answered this question, "Read Psalms!"

"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies" (119:59) "My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From Him cometh my salvation" (62:1) "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked ...but his delight is in the law of Jehovah..." (1:1-f).

"Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I take refuge" (16:1). "I love thee, O Jehovah, my strength. Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer" (18:1). "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God" (20:7).

"Who can discern his errors? Clear thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, and I shall be clear from great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer" (19:12-14).

"I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me: Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee" (41:4). "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight." "Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom." "Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities." "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (From Psm. 51)

"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters He restoreth my soul..." Many thousands knew the "Shepherd Psalm." But David knew the Shepherd.