David prays for deliverance from his enemies (vs. 1-)—Once again, David’s prayer ascends to heaven for deliverance from some unknown enemy (vs. 1-2). While David almost certainly had human enemies in mind, Satan is the ultimate foe and that is probably how we should interpret such for our lives. Most of us have never had a king or another nation’s army after us, so David’s situation is somewhat unique. Our great adversary is the devil (I Peter 5:8), and he is every bit as fearsome, if not more so, than any human foe David ever encountered. David is willing to accept justice; if he had harmed someone else, “if there is iniquity in my hands, if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me…let the enemy pursue and overtake me…” (vs. 3-5). He is willing to accept due punishment. But the implication is, he believes he has been righteous and his enemies at fault. “Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me” (v. 8). “Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just” (v. 9). This life won’t be easy, and we can expect trials and tribulations—tests from the Lord: “For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds” (v. 9). How else will He know if He can trust and depend upon us? And how often do we fail to pass the test? We must be ever vigilant, and be strong, for we never know when an occasion might arise when we are given the opportunity to exalt and glorify God. Some of these occasions won’t be easy; thus, gaining patience and strength through the Lord’s “tests” is essential.
A vindication of God (vs. 10-13)—David continues to demonstrate his faith in a righteous God. The Lord will save the “upright in heart” (v. 10). He is a “just judge,” Who “is angry with the wicked every day” (v. 11). If man does not repent, he will meet a God of war, Who “sharpen[s] His sword” and takes His bow and “makes it ready” (v. 12). “He also prepares for Himself instruments of death” (v. 13). Not surprisingly, David, a man of war, uses military allusions here to exhibit God’s mighty power against the wicked. The idea is that the Lord will protect the righteous and punish the wicked. It’s a simple theme, but one David believed whole-heartedly.
The wicked dig their own pit (vs. 14-16)—Regarding the ungodly, “he made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made” (v. 15). In Galatians 6:7, Paul puts it this way: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Sin has a way of backfiring on us; we suffer the consequences of our own actions and decisions, and that is the way it ought to be. “His trouble shall return upon his own head” (v. 16). Sin has consequences which must be. If only men would learn from it and turn to God.
A final word of praise to God (v. 17)—David ends the psalm on a note of joy: “I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” If a man as busy as David could find time to do this, why can’t we?
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