Boast or Declaration of Dependence?

Maybe it's just me, but I've usually thought Psalms like Psalm 27 were David boasting, "God is on my side!" Maybe there is a little of that (or maybe not), but David didn't address his Psalms to the Philistines, Ammonites or other nations that were Israel's enemies. Rather, David's Psalms were at once personal reflections - David speaking to himself - and addressing his own people, Israel.

David was reminding Israel and himself of two intertwined facts. First, Israel and its king were dependent on God. Whatever strength and skill they might have had, those alone were not sufficient to be victorious over Israel's enemies. Second - something which David acknowledged and praised - God had shown Himself strong and reliable.

In the same way, we Christians must constantly remind ourselves and each other that we cannot rely on and be guided by our own wisdom and strength. Neither are sufficient. And we must remember - it is so easy to forget in the face of difficulty - that God is wise, strong, sufficient and reliable. We must rely on God.