Historical Events In Psalm

The headings in Psalms 3, 18, and 63 relate to the historical event described in the books of Samuel. They have similar themes to the passages that portray the mood and feelings that David would have felt while encountering these events. According to Nogalski, the connections of the headings in each Psalms “suggests that the psalms clarify and sharpen the narrative or David’s character” (2001, p. 169). The title of a Psalm, however, does not create a perfect harmony with the psalm and its historical event (Slomovic, 1979, p. 351). Many scholars believe that the historical headings on Psalms were not initially part of them (Slomovic, 1979, p. 350). Although it is difficult to discern if these headings were specifically related to the Psalms, it is clear that readers are able to understand the psalm better with these headings and are able to relate to David’s situation with the situations they are

As described in the title, the psalm occurred when “he was in the wilderness of Judah” but there were two occasions where David was in the wilderness of Judah (Psalm 63). It could either refer to the hiding from Saul in 1 Samuel 23-24 or from Absalom in 2 Samuel 15. 1 Samuel 23-24 does connect Psalm 63 through this common theme of wilderness, but there are many aspects that are in question. One of these is the reference of “king” in Psalms. In Psalms 63, David refers to himself as “king”, even though he had not become king in 1 Samuel 23-24. Nevertheless, a common theme of enemies trying to destroy David is seen in both Psalm 63:9-10 and 1 Samuel 23-24. Psalm 63 describes that whoever plans to kill David will fail as God is on his side; this is observed in several attempts in 1 Samuel 23:13 and 28 when Saul attempted to kill David. The examples above, however, does not explicitly support the direct connection of events in 1 Samuel 23-24 and Psalm