The world holds its breath when Christians suffer. Will we doubt or deny Him? Or declare He is good?
Psalm 35 shows a definite pattern. It has three parts, and each ends with a chorus of praise to the Lord. As we’ll see, this is not simply a design for a poem but a strategy for life. At the beginning are ten verses where David seeks the help of God, concluding, “Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?” (v 10). The middle section has eight verses (vv 11-18) and hits a higher note: “I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people” (v 18). After the final ten verses, David concludes with this crescendo: “Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’ And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long” (vv 27-28). I repeat: this is not just a pattern for a poem but a strategy for success. I’m reminded of the words of Paul to the Philippians, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (Php 3:1). Paul has been accused of the failing of some modern preachers—promising to finish, but there “finally” comes at the halfway mark! His “finally” meant something different. As with David’s words of praise, it was declaring: After all is said and done, rejoice in the Lord. After the enemy’s attempts at destruction (v 4) and deception (v 7), after “they reward me evil for good” (v 12) and “in my adversity they rejoiced” (v 15)—after all that—“let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified’” (v 27). David longed for the Lord to vindicate him against false charges (vv 23-24), but in the end it’s the Lord who is vindicated by the praises of His people. Yes, God is good—all the time!