Betrayal is always very difficult to experience, and we may wonder why it happens to us when we are not doing anything wrong against a person or people. David wrote about a time when he feared for his life because the Ziphites betrayed him to the jealous king Saul. This kind of betrayal will be common during the time of tribulation when brothers will betray brothers, and family units will not be trustworthy.
The Jews who survive the tribulation will suffer greatly from those who oppose them as a chosen people, but also from those of their own people, some of whom will be a believing remnant who will respond in faith to the Gospel that will be preached during those terrible times. Some will not return to their homes but must flee from persecutors. God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him now, and He will be to those who are faithful to Him then and will deliver them as He did David.
The first part of this psalm is a prayer in a perilous situation. It is like a lament but also a statement of trust. The psalmist in this petition revealed his character and confidence in God. His assurance that the authority of God in “Thy name” was enough to deal with his current trouble. His confidence in God’s revealed power, “Thy strength,” was enough for him to rest in faith that God would do what was needed, and he could leave the outcome of the matter with Him.
In contrast to David’s faith, there were those who opposed and betrayed him and had no regard for God. “They have not set God before them.” Similar attitudes are all around us today. Most people do not consider God when making decisions or when they are confronted with the Gospel message. Our response to them, as those who know and love God in whom we have placed our trust, is to continue to be faithful to our Lord and use whatever opportunities we have to demonstrate the value of faith, even when under the pressure of opposition. By faith, we can maintain an optimistic attitude in times of distress and betrayal because we know the Lord is our helper. He upholds us under circumstances over which we have no control.
The last part of this psalm is praise for deliverance, which David is confident about even before it comes. He had complete assurance that God would help him. He knew that God always kept His promises in spite of the circumstances of the moment. So, he was there to offer his free will sacrifice, knowing that everything was under divine control. A troubled man who godless men oppose can find rest in his soul when he remembers who we are and who our God is.
The Lord has assured us that He will never leave us or forsake us. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear what man shall do unto me.” Like David, we can have complete confidence in God to meet our needs. Our part is to fulfill our vows to give Him the free will offering of our sacrifice of thanksgiving. To be open and honest before God is an expression of faith and is a safeguard against bitterness that may tempt us to try to take vengeance ourselves. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”