Psalm 059 - God, Our Defender - Aneel Aranha

Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.
See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, LORD.
I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
You, LORD God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
See what they spew from their mouths —
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
But you laugh at them, LORD;
you scoff at all those nations.
You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
and bring them down.
For the sins of their mouths,
for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
consume them in your wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
They wander about for food
and howl if not satisfied.
But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.

Have you read the Chronicles of Narnia? It is a series of novels written by C. S. Lewis that takes readers on enchanting adventures in the fantasy world of Narnia. A group of children stumble into the magical kingdom, ruled by a lion named Aslan, who often saves the children from danger. C.S. Lewis intentionally incorporated Christian symbolism into his works, and Aslan serves as a representation of Jesus.

And why not? Scripture speaks about a lion — The Lion of Judah —and refers to Jesus. The Lion symbolizes various qualities associated with Jesus: majesty and dignity, strength and power, leadership and kingship, and protection and defense. The last is particularly relevant to the psalm we are reflecting upon today.

Psalm 59 portrays God as our protector and defender against the attacks of our enemies. They constantly plot and lie against us, seeking to harm us. Yet, in the midst of adversity, we are called to trust in the Lord's unfailing protection. The psalmist proclaims, "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" (Psalm 59:16).

This theme is echoed throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes, "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3). This assurance reminds us that God is not only aware of the challenges and threats we face, but he is also actively involved in our protection.

So, let us take comfort in the truth that God is our defender. Like the young children of Narnia who found safety in the presence of the mighty lion, we can find security in the arms of our mighty Savior. As we trust in him and seek his guidance, he will be our shield and deliverer, leading us through the trials of life and ensuring our ultimate victory.

Hail, hail, O Lion of Judah! 

God bless you.