From Scripture Studies:
The occasion for this psalm, as specified in the inscription, is “For the dedication of the temple”. The background for this event is as follows: After a time of many military successes, David’s pride got the best of him. He decided that he would conduct a census of the people of Israel in order to glory in the greatness of his kingdom. We are told specifically that “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” (I Chron. 21:1). David was warned by the general of his army Joab that this would be displeasing to God, but David overruled him and had him conduct the census (see I Chron. 21:3-5). To discipline David for his act of pride, the Lord gave David a choice of three punishments: “Three years of famine, three months of being swept away by [his] enemies, with their swords overtaking [him], or three days of the sword of the LORD–days of plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel” (I Chron. 21:12). David chose the three days of plague. In the middle of the three days, the Lord “was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, `Enough! Withdraw your hand!’“ (I Chron. 21:15). At that moment, “the angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite” (I Chron. 21:15), with sword in hand, ready to strike the city of Jerusalem with the plague. As David “looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem”, he prayed to God: “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? O LORD my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people” (I Chron. 21:16-17). In response, God told David (through the prophet Gad) to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David purchased the site from Araunah, built the altar as the Lord commanded, and “sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings” (I Chron. 21:26). The Lord accepted his sacrifices, and answered David “with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offerings” (I Chron. 21:26). Also, though the three days of plague were not complete, “the LORD spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath” (I Chron. 21:27). David responded to the grace of God by offering sacrifices. It is at this time (I believe) that David wrote this psalm.
In the psalm, David first praises the Lord for blessing him in his life (vs. 1-3), praises Him for His grace in His discipline of us (vs. 4-5), recalls the sinful attitude of pride that led him into sin (vs. 6-7), recalls his prayer of mercy (vs. 8-10), and then rejoices in its being answered (vs. 11-12).
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Good article. Just wanted to point out David didn’t choose his punishment, he asked God to basically saying just don’t let me fall in the hands of man.