MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME

David had just come through some very difficult personal circumstances. This psalm was probably written in the cave at Adullum, shortly after he had retreated in shame from Gath where he had foolishly feigned madness before Abimelech. Hugely disappointed in himself he retires to the cave to lick his wounds and to consider his position. He invites family and friends to join him, and they do, along with others who were in debt, distress or felt discontented. Rather than bemoaning his situation and the circumstances that tripped him, he turns in thanksgiving to the Lord. He says, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth’, v. 1. This is a reminder to us that even in adverse circumstances we should still give the Lord His due, which is praise and worship. When we are deeply convicted by our own failure, that helps us to recognize and wonder at His greatness and perfection.

This personal thanksgiving rekindles David’s enthusiasm and he seeks others to join him in worship. ‘O magnify the Lord with me’, he says. While it is good to worship as individuals, it is wonderful to have fellowship in corporate worship. The company will have different backgrounds and experiences of the Lord’s goodness but our participation raises the level of appreciation of the Lord. David shares with his companions how the Lord had saved him out of all his troubles and reminds them of the protection afforded the Lord’s people by the angel of the Lord in his ongoing protective role, v. 7. The command is to ‘magnify the Lord’ and that is an exercise that comes from deep within one’s soul.

The idea of ‘magnifying’ is that we look at something of value and make much of it. In Psalm 69 verse 30 David says that he will magnify the Lord with thanksgiving, and praise Him with a song. He also discloses that this will please the Lord. We too should magnify His work, in words and songs, Job 36. 24.

It is our responsibility and privilege to individually and corporately magnify the Lord and His works. Let us encourage one another to join in this exercise even in times of personal distress or corporate failure. Now, that would really please Him!