In the lives of God’s people, painful events may bring blessings to others, enriching them by the example we leave and the experiences we have gone through and have been willing to share with them. In those hard times, we learn that God alone is our defense, the Source of mercy and desire. His power and ongoing mercy are foremost in our minds and expressed in our prayers.
David’s prayer for protection and deliverance was urgent because the danger came from the highest source in Israel, King Saul, and the men he sent to “slay him in the morning.” Jealousy and hatred have no real limits when they are allowed to go uncontrolled or unchecked. So, it was the best thing David could do to turn to the Lord for deliverance. Michael and his wife made the bed so it looked like David was in it, but even that feeble attempt could not keep Saul’s men from hunting him. He needed the deliverance and rescue that only God can give. He referred to “my God” as the One he called. Actually, he used several divine titles of God when speaking of the Lord. This indicates a conscious awareness and personal connection and intimacy with his God.
We are privileged to call upon the Lord to rescue us when an urgent need arises. We need God’s mercy and power to deal with serious situations that are way beyond our control. God is our defense; He is our refuge and His deliverance in which we put our trust. This was the theme of David’s song and will be ours.
Many ungodly people curse God as if He cannot hear them and will not do anything in response to their ignorance and blasphemy. They live as if there are no consequences for sin to face and that evil will not be punished. In this psalm, the second part describes the enemy and defiance against those men who were like scavenging dogs growling at night. Like hungry dogs, they think they will get away with their evil intentions.
We may feel desperate when there is no question about what others want to do to harm us. When that happens, we need to remember what God does for us. He loves us. He is strong for us. He is our fortress and refuge. At first glance, the plea for vengeance that David asked for seems extreme to us. He asked for God to slay them, scatter them, consume them, and let them know that “God ruleth.” It was David’s desire that God would judge them slowly so that it would really hurt, but perhaps he knew God well enough that His mercy was offered to all. He repeated his appeal and, at the same time, knew that God was the “God of my mercy.” He is full of love, goodness, and pity. In mercy, he meets and defends His servant.
When the Lord God is deliberately rejected, people must accept the consequences of their own choices. Whether judgment is swift or gradual, God knows what is the best way to deal with the enemies of His people. Drawn out the pressure applied to those who may bring them to call out to God for mercy themselves, and in grace, God can save them from the wrath to come. The psalmist may have wanted his enemies to know that God controls whatever they want to do to him. That is a lesson for us to keep in mind if the time comes when we are tempted to seek revenge against those who unfairly oppose the work of God entrusted to us.
The last part of this psalm contrasts the growling of enemies like dogs in the dark of night with the singing of David when he arises in the morning. The enemies made a lot of noise in their arrogance and returned empty to Saul, who sent them. The song of the delivered is the voice of praise and honor again to “the God of my mercy.” What a difference there is between those who are bloodthirsty and the divine love God shows to His servants. When we remember and sing God’s faithfulness to us and openly praise Him, our attitude transforms from a desire for vengeance to a voice of appreciation and gladness. Then, our lives are changed into something good, real, and meaningful, and God can be glorified through us.