Hidden in His Presence

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are “in Christ” and in Christ there is no condemnation, only comfort. In many passages using this theological language the apostle shows the security of the Christian. The Old Testament saints however, did not have the advantage of a full revelation of God and their understanding of what it is to be secure and safe in the Lord was presented to them in very concrete terms; e.g. under His wings (Psalm 91:4); carried in his bosom (Is. 40:11); in the clefts of the rock (Ps. 62:6 cf. S. of S. 2:14); the apple of his eye (Deut. 32:10); in the shadow of his hand (Is. 49:2). David here shows God’s people are “hidden ones” (Vs. 20 cf. Ps 83:3).

The fact that successive biblical characters in times of crises and stress have used this Psalm, (Jonah 2:4, 8; Jer. 18:18ff; Luke 23:46; Ps. 71:1ff) illustrates the role of the Psalms in the lives of God’s people outside of the formal worship setting.

While the Christian knows this security, fluctuating faith in midst of the circumstances of life is a common feature in our spiritual experience. In this Psalm David comes from trouble to assurance twice (V’s 1-8 & 9-24).

In the panic of life we tend to mistake God’s care for us and forget that he is sovereign. Our theology often suffers with our bodies. Yet even in our lowest moment when our theology is at its worst – God graciously hears the heart cry (22b).