In 2 Samuel 22, we saw David the psalmist proclaiming God’s deliverance and salvation. At the start of 2 Samuel 23, we see another song of David, this time one written towards the end of his life, when he speaks ‘divine utterance’, knowing that the Spirit of God is speaking through him. Paul tells us that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16-17) and Peter tells us that prophets speak as they are ‘carried along’ by the Spirit of God. (2 Pet 1:20-21). We desperately need the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and God’s words to guide, direct us and help us in our lives, and Scripture becomes the place where we can find this inspiration.
David is aware that a fear of God is necessary for right living, for we need to live life in right relationship with God. The book of Proverbs talks about this fear (which is reverential awe and not simply terrified fear). It is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1:7) and wisdom (Prov 9:10). It leads us not simply to academic knowledge, but to a knowledge of God Himself. (Prov 2:5) It ‘is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.’ (Prov 14:27) It helps us to avoid evil (Prov 16:6) and leads to life itself: ‘then one rests content, untouched by trouble.’ (Prov 19:23) It is vastly different to a fear of men, which ends up being a snare. When we fear God, we can live righteously, as He wants us to. We could say that the fear of the Lord is the pathway to right living; if we have no fear of God, we will live arrogantly and as we see fit, rather than listening to and following God’s commands. David speaks of the illumination that a righteous reign brings to God’s people, reminding us of God’s perspective (evil will be sorted out by God ultimately.) We can live blessed lives when we understand the key to greatness is serving others and obeying God. (Matt 20:25-28)