The context of the psalm was Saul sending men to seek opportunities to kill David. David seeks God for justice and deliverance from his enemies.

In verses 1-7, David prayed to God for deliverance from his enemies who were lying in wait to kill him. Those who were after him were conspiring against him for no reason. They waited for an opportunity to attack and kill him, even when he had done nothing wrong. Thus, he called the God of Israel to rise against them and show no mercy on these wicked traitors. They were like dogs barking with tongues sharp as swords. We see that the wicked only cared for themselves and no one else. They plotted to harm those who were in their way. They spread rumours and lies about those they are after. They think no one knows their evil motives. They are wrong. God hears and sees what they say and do, even the things hidden in their hearts. Eventually, God would expose and punish them.

These people can be anyone in our midst, a colleague, a friend, or a family member. It could be someone in church, too. It is better to trust God than man, as we do not know who our enemies are. They are described in verse 14 as people who, each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city, spewing evil from their lips, and thinking no one has heard them.

In verses 8-13, David says God laughs in disbelief that David’s enemies think they could get away with what they were doing and saying. As for him, he trusts in God as his fortress, who gave him strength over his enemies’ plots and plans to kill him. He asks God to defeat and bring them down in His power for their pride, cursing God and His people so that they might know who God is. He is the God of Jacob who rules the earth.

Many Christians would not dare to pray like David, because it calls for the “death” of our enemies. We consider it an unloving thing to do. The psalmist has no qualms about calling and appealing to God to punish and bring down the arrogant and prideful “enemies” that are giving us trouble in our lives. In the Old Testament, the worldview is “an eye for an eye.” There is nothing wrong because the proud and wicked deserved a just punishment.

However, in the New Testament, Jesus calls us to bless those who curse us and not return “an eye for an eye.” Jesus’ standard is higher and harder to obey. Unless we are filled with the love of Christ, then could we forgive and bless those who harm us.

In verses 14-17, David trusts in God even when his enemies are constantly trying to harm him, but they fail because God is protecting him. Thus, he praises God for being his strength and fortress. In our troubles, if we have not fallen, we can rejoice because God is watching and protecting us. It is the reason why we have not fallen at all. So, do not look at our troubles, but look to God for strength and to Him as our fortress!

Prayer:

A mighty fortress is our God; we trust in you and look to you for strength in the time of our troubles. May you hide us under the shadow of your wings that our enemies may not be able to harm or hurt us.