Open Hand, Stayed Hand

David had the enemy in his hand, yet he would not seize what God had not given. In the cave, power was near, revenge was easy, and his companions urged him on. But the man who blesses God every day must also restrain his own hand. It is a small thing to sing that the Lord is gracious and full of compassion; the proof comes when a man is wronged and refuses to repay evil for evil.

David’s grief over even cutting Saul’s garment teaches holy fear. He would rather suffer longer than grasp the kingdom by sin. Thus praise in the psalm is joined to patience in the wilderness: the Lord is righteous in all His ways, therefore His servants must not advance themselves by unrighteousness. Cyprian sets before us the rule: "saying, The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." If we would have righteousness upon us, we must do righteousness when anger would be sweeter.

At the same time, the psalm does not leave the meek empty. The God whom David would not outrun is the God whose kingdom rules over all and whose hand feeds all flesh. As the church prays, "you open Your hand, and fill every living thing with gladness." Therefore we need not clutch, avenge, or devour. God’s open hand teaches us to unclench our own: toward enemies in mercy, toward the poor in almsgiving, toward God in daily praise. The man who trusts the Lord’s rule can wait for justice, bless God at set times, and do good while he suffers wrong.