Psalm 22 is an incredible prayer we could all benefit from praying. And verse 3 might be my favorite: “Yet, You are holy, enthroned upon the praises is Israel.” The KJV says God, “inhabits the praises of Israel.”
Enthroned. To sit down, dwell, remain, settle. The ever-ascending praises of His people become a Throne for the Divine King!
And the psalmist David was here overwhelmed with grief & terror. He was begging God for rescue, even asking why he’d apparently been “abandoned”. But even David’s complaint was a sign of spiritual life!
Why? Because it was David’s fixation upon presence he was most concerned with. David didn’t ask the question, “Why is this happening?” That question doesn’t get answered this side of heaven and keeps us in a state of discontent. But rather David asks, “Why have You forsaken me?” It’s the language of a heart yearning for presence and favor.
The same was with Christ who, in His flesh, longed for another option than cross-bearing. However His great faithfulness to His mission prevailed. And so we see did David’s!
David says, “YET You are holy!” He still had unwavering confidence in God. Though His prayer seemed to go unheard and surely delayed, He was not laying blame to His God! He maintained zero doubt that there was a sufficient reason why He wasn’t answered.
God dwells where praise is proclaimed! David doesn’t cry for help until help is received... he encourages himself in the midst of what appears to be the most desperate of measures. He encourages himself by reciting God’s goodness, reminding him of God’s character, and recalling His past rescues of which David had been a witness! Yes he’s tired, but he does not fail. Even when things get worse, when enemies duplicate, and with physical depletion of strength, he renews himself with praise.
Oh that we’d be people of perpetual praise. May we boldly pray, “Thy Kingdom come!” Because His presence is life and He faithfully dwells among those brave praisers!
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