It is reputed that many of the Psalms were prayerfully penned by David, who is referred to at the end of his life as “. the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1). What a way to be described at the end of one’s pilgrimage here on earth. As a concise biographical sketch is given of him at the end of his most eventful life, David is masterfully described most of all, as a man of God. He is above everything else, referred to, as the sweet psalmist of Israel.
To the readers this description of David becomes more meaningful, especially when it is discovered that David is now almost in the last chapter of his life, and to note, he is still referred to as “sweet.” Is it not true that the successive conditions of life can cause us to become bitter? Yet, somehow, we perceive from David, the illumination, that worship and bitterness do not go together.
Despite all his ups and downs, David manages to remain the sweet psalmist. He succeeds in remaining pleasant, agreeable, delightful, and amiable. May the God of Israel help us today! It is my strong conviction, that worship helps us to maintain a good, sweet spirit right up to the very end. Even a cursory glance at David’s life causes the reader to come to this conclusion – that he was truly a man raised up, anointed and sweet.
David, as his writings genuinely attest, saw God as his source, substance, and sustenance. He saw God as his author and finisher, His helper and his light-giver, his strength and power. Without God, David would have remained “a nobody” that no one noticed, buried in obscurity and oblivion. He is remembered not so much only as the shepherd boy who became warrior-king and giant-slayer, as phenomenal as these things were, but most prominently he is regarded today as the sweet psalmist of Israel, the legendary poet laureate of all Israel. The depth of his devotional life overshadows all.
As the blessed people of God, may we never dare to forget that we are here today functioning, because the Sovereign God of the ages, raised us up and graciously poured the holy anointing oil of His divine Spirit all over us. For this we worship and remain eternally grateful. Like Mary, we say, he has regarded our low estate (Luke 1:48). We join our voices with James when he exclaimed, “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted” (James 1:9).
How often we are tempted to forget that all that we are and all that we have achieved, have come about because of God, raising us up and anointing us. Even right up to the end, David is still testifying and praising God for his deliverance (2 Samuel 22:7-19); His judgement (vv 20-25); His mercy (vv 26-32); His strength (vv 33-37); and His vengeance (vv 38-49). David just simply praises the Lord (vv 50,51).
Raised up, Anointed, Sweet people do that. They praise God, right up to the end of their days. They declare, “Therefore, I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name” (22:50). The people raised up on high by God and anointed by the God of Jacob, become delightful worshipers, as they allow God’s perfumed presence and aroma to saturate every aspect of their lives. More than anything else, David goes down in history as the Sweet Psalmist of Israel.
