When others despise you, and even loved ones leave you, it's good to know that the Lord never will! In this psalm, we learn the meaning of a Hebrew idiom that has become an English expression of hope and endearment.

A dear friend, and listener to the podcast, Sarah, taught me the lasting value of this psalm. This life disappoints, and even those who we love the most can cast us off. Knowing that God never will leave us, nor forsake us, gives us eternal hope and great joy, even when life disappoints.

While Paul is under the protection of the Roman Tribune, forty Jewish men make an oath to neither eat nor drink until they kill Paul. Hearing of this plot, the Tribune sends Paul with a guard of hundreds of soldiers to the Governor. This Tribune, who almost abused Paul, a Roman citizen, now plays the hero as he delivers Paul to the custody of the Governor.

When Paul speaks to his accusers, and says that he was preaching to Gentiles, a riot breaks out, and they are about to kill him. A Roman Tribune intervenes. Interesting that a gentile rescues Paul, after the Jewish crowd was about to kill him for preaching to gentiles.

We live in a time where lies are treated as truth, and the Truth of God as a lie. In this Psalm, we lament the harm caused by those who think they will prevail by the power of their words. For recourse, we turn to God, asking for his protection, and seeking to live according to His truth.

We live in a tumultuous time, where many of the institutions that long provided safety and security are passing away. How do God's people process such loss, especially when our beloved nation, church or denomination is being rent asunder? By relying on God, we find solace in His grace and not the things of this world.