I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. (Psalm 16:7).

David learned early in life, on the hillsides of Judea, as he watched over his father’s flocks, to order his mind to the Word of God. Being from a faithful family who knew the Law, and judging from his later writing of Psalm 119 and his extended devotion to the Law, he had committed the Word of God to memory. Remember, back in the early part of the first millennium B.C. there were no printing presses, and certainly no pocket Bibles. What could be known or learned about the Word of God was from that recited in the temple or taught in the home, in obedience to Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

So lying under the night-time sky David rolled the Word of God over and over in his mind, and used it to teach himself wisdom. Although alertness to predators or wandering sheep was an ever-present responsibility for a shepherd, there was plenty of time to just think. There are only so many stones one can throw for entertainment. When a young man’s mind easily wanders into fleshly thoughts at idle times, David, judging by the place God’s Word had in his life, must have spent his “idle time” meditating on what he had been taught. Can we not hear this echo in his later writings? For example,

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (Ps 119:9–11)

In the Word of God, he found the Lord as a counselor. Although we don’t see many times when the Lord explicitly told David to do something, we see David acting in ways that reflect a man who knew his God and was supremely loyal to Him. He knew what God would want him to do; he didn’t often have to stop and ask. That wisdom is often overshadowed by David’s selfless commitment, courage, and compelling leadership. Yet it was from the spiritual counsel learned from the Word that he knew God would protect him as he faced the giant whom no one else had the faith to confront, waited patiently for God to take out the king (Saul) who had lost his divine anointing, recovered from his moral failure, and resisted taking revenge on a rebellious son. The key: He instructed himself in the Word of God.

Lord, I bless You for the wisdom You have given in Your Word, as my Counselor. I desire more spiritual wisdom, so I can walk in ways more pleasing to You.