He wrote, “ He shall be like the light of the morning.” When David looked back on his reign, he saw lots of blessing and light. Then David reflected on how a wise ruler is blessed when he rules with justice.

He knew this by seeing the goodness of justice provided and the curse of justice denied. “ He who rules over men must be just.” As David looked back over his life and reign, he was struck by the great need for rulers to exercise justice. In this Psalm David looked back and thought about his reign. This title reminds of David’s deep inner life with God The sweet psalmist of Israel: David had a beautiful gift of eloquence and expression before God.He had a unique empowering and enabling from God The anointed of the God of Jacob: David was anointed by God, not by himself or merely by man.The man raised up on high: David allowed God to raise him up, so he could confidently rest in this title.The son of Jesse: Jesse was a humble farmer and this title reminds us of David’s humble beginning.What a life his was – we have a capsule of David’s life in the titles and descriptions of 2 Samuel 23:1. This last Psalm of David begins the with preface, “ These are the last words of David.” It isn’t that these were the words David spoke from his deathbed, but they do express his heart and longing at the end of his life. This is a whole lot in a little composition. In just a few words he explains God’s benefits, he confesses his sins, professes his faith, comforts himself in the covenant, and announces destruction to unbelievers. This last psalm is a beautiful song of wisdom from David at the end of his life. The closing chapters of 2 Samuel include a few choice Psalms from David. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.’” (2 Samuel 23:1-4) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Thus says David the son of Jesse thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.

Mornings in the Light by Timothy King