God gives victory to his anointed(v6). The kings of the old testament were anointed with oil and afterward received power. The anointing of the new testament is not of oil, but of the Spirit of Christ. If you've put your faith in Christ then you too are God's anointed. This doesn't mean victory for each one of your plans but it does mean eternal victory over the devil, fear, guilt, anger, violence and every weakness in yourself.
The authors of the Bible write as though God's goodness and power are so obvious that they're practically written across the sky(v1-6). I do not always agree. I wonder often what God is doing. This questioning of God helps me learn, but questioning provides no release from anxiety. There has never been peace for my heart when I've insisted on figuring God out. Peace has only come to me after I've given up my doubts and fears. Then, once I put myself at God's mercy, I am free to clearly see his goodness and power.
What is God like? The Bible calls God a fortress, a father, a lover, and lots of other things. This chapter gives a strange picture of God: The mountains tremble at his anger(v7); smoke comes from his nostrils and fire from his mouth(v8) he soars on the wings of the wind(v10).
God is like a dragon. It is tempting to think only about God's gentleness, mercy, and love, but God's fierce features are wonderful too. This fierce God is same the loving God who fights for us, and if he's fighting for us then I want him to be as fierce as possible.
How great would it be to pray the words, “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. (v5)” and feel confident that we were truly perfect and could expect God to listen. I have not lived perfectly. I have hurt those I love and I have held onto anger. Why should I expect vindication(v15)? Why should God listen to me?
Our actions do not and cannot earn God's favor. God sees as perfect those who put their faith in Jesus Christ's perfect love and not in their own imperfect actions. Through faith we are considered perfect by God, so we can pray with much confidence:
As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. - Psalm 17:15
