The Christian journey is an ever upward journey where heaven is the ultimate destination. The testing of life seemed to be more difficult each passing moment with often no relieve but the Lord Jesus our Rock stands steadfast and unmovable as a refuge in every test. This is the psalmist testimony.

"Neginah" means music or song possibly with stringed instruments. It is a feminine proper noun - Neginah (singular), Neginoth (plural). It is used only in the psalm titles.

This psalm is a prayer (תְּפִלָּה, tephillah). The first of 17 occurrences in Psalms 4:1 "To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." Others include Psalm 6:10 ,17:1 ,39:12 ,54:2 ,55:1 ,61:1 ,66:19-20 ,69:13 ,84:8 ,86:6 ,88:2 ,88:13 ,102:1 ,141:2 ,143:1 . There are 3 other occurrences outside the psalms in Isaiah 56:7 ,Lamentations 3:8 ,Jonah 2:7 . The deep anguish in the soul of the subject causes him to pour out his distress to his God. When we study the psalms, we are able to identify ourselves with the emotional anguish of the psalmist's heart and learn likewise to bring our burdens to God carry them. The suffering, sorrow, torment, agony, pain and grief of the psalmist is an urgent plea for God to hear and show to us a way out of our impasse.

The personal pronoun "I" speaks of a truthful confession of the inner recesses of his heart. Notice the transition of the state of the psalmist heart -

This should be the transition in our emotional state as we learn to lift our hearts from a state of deep depression (overwhelmed) our inaction to a state of renewed strength to press on with life.

Step (2), (3) and (4) comes when we seek God in worship by prayer, the meditation & appropriation of His Word and in the singing of hymns. He renews our faith and trust in Him.

Recently, I was visiting a brother in Christ in the hospital the same age as me plagued with final stage of lung cancer with young children like me. The way ahead seemed hopeless. The doctor gave 6 months of life. The state of helplessness is so real! Every visit requires much prayer for the Lord's mercy to encourage this brother. "What will happen to me?" "What about my wife and children?" "What about my mother?"

We read from psalm 27 to still the heart of the brother. Then we sang a hymn of faith "I know the Lord will make a way for me" followed by "Only Jesus, Only Jesus" to acknowledge that Jesus is the source of blessing.

After praying, the brother is strengthened in the faith, he will press on with treatment, praying for the Lord's mercy, waiting upon the Lord, committing his life into His hand. He will fight the good fight of faith and not give up.

(3) lead (direct) him to higher ground for he is overwhelmed by his problem (v 2 )

When we focus our attention on our Lord Jesus, every burden is turned to blessing because He is the source of all blessings! The satisfaction that dawn on the distress turned the heart's burden to blessing! We have to experience it to know it. The psalmist wanted that we too may experience the sufficiency of God's grace for every trial.

The realization and meditation of who God is gave him spiritual strength, courage and a sudden joy. The word "Selah" provides a well deserved pause that marked this transition in his emotions. Can my problem be so big that my God cannot solve? The impossibility that God cannot help lifts his heart from sinking sand to firm ground (v 4 ).

"My vows" (v 5 ) speaks of the psalmist consecration to God with promises of service. The word is found twenty-five times in the Old Testament and basically means a solemn promise to God. His vow is heard by God. The inheritance from God is His inexhaustible and enduring blessings to those who humble themselves before Him. The psalmist is reassured in his heart that God has heard his petitions and will help him.

The climax of the psalm is in the last verse (v 8 ). The psalmist resolved to praise God with a heart whose burden is lifted off and endued with the strength to press on with life. This can only happen when we are connected with the Source of life, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The transition from inactivity and distress to joy in the heart pressing on with life came when the psalmist is fully connected with His Creator to receive fresh supply of strength.

This brother in Christ testified that because he is a believer, God has given him the faith to press on and fight the good fight of faith till the end.

HIGHER GROUND

The hymn "Higher Ground" was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. and composed by Charles H. Gabriel. The Bible reference is Philippians 3:14 ,to press forward for God's call. The hymn "Higher Ground" has a secure place in the American hymnology.

I'm pressing on the upward way,

New tests I'm facing every day;

Still praying as I'm onward bound,

"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Refrain

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

On Christ the Rock, and not on sand,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

Refrain

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found,

"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Refrain