David’s psalm reflected the themes of injustice, divine protection, and the consequences of the wicked. The context is when he fled from Saul, and the Ziphites informed Saul of David’s hiding place.

This short psalm was a personal lament and a reminder to his followers to seek and trust God for help. His appeal to God for justice shows that he has faith that evil will not go unchecked. He believes God sees and hears all things and will expose and punish the evildoers. Despite his struggles with injustice, he serves as an example and encouragement for us to trust in God, who will make things right.

David’s heart was troubled, but he remained faithful. In desperation, He pleaded with God to hear his cry and continued to trust Him amidst the wicked, who conspired against him despite being innocent. His enemies were ruthless and described as roaring lions who wanted to harm him. They used words that were described as sharp swords to highlight the destructive nature and power of falsehoods and deceit. They were attacking him physically and verbally, seeking to undermine his character and reputation.

In calling upon God to rise against his enemies, David pleaded to God for deliverance, invoking His justice, and seeking Him to hold them accountable for what they were doing to him. He recognized that their evil deeds are rooted in a lack of fear for God.

This also explains why Christians can “attack” other Christians. They have no fear of God in them. Those who wish to harm us can be found among those we trust most, our friends, family, colleagues, or even fellow congregants. The potential for betrayal or hostility exists in all kinds of relationships.

The assurance that God acts as our defender is a powerful assertion of faith by the psalmist, who believes that God will bring an end to the evil that surrounds him. This serves as an encouragement to be resilient in our faith that ultimate justice lies with God. This is being hopeful amid struggles, knowing that God sees our pain and will respond in His time. Therefore, we should not allow our enemies or circumstances to destroy our faith in God.

David’s commitment to offer a freewill offering reflects a heart of gratitude and a recognition of God’s sovereignty. It acknowledges that all deliverance comes from God. By expressing his thanks through sacrificial offerings, David not only honours God but also strengthens his faith as he inspires others to trust in God’s righteousness and goodness.

When we face adversity and the schemes of the wicked, declaring our faith becomes an action of defiance against despair. It serves as a public acknowledgment of God’s faithfulness and power. It reminds us that regardless of the circumstances we are in, we must trust and call upon God for help, and not elsewhere.

Prayer:

O Lord, I believe that you would make things right even when my circumstances are not very promising. I trust that you will protect and preserve me as I entrust my life into your hands. I will honor and live by faith instead of by sight, as revealed by the psalmist in his psalm.