1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. 2Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. 3See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. 4For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice. 5O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah 6They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. 7See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” 8But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations. 9I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress. 10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes. 11Do not kill them, or my people will forget. Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. 12By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter. 13Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. 15They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied. 16But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17To You, O my strength, I sing praises, for You, O God, are my fortress, my God of loving devotion.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
David prays for deliverance from his enemies. (1-7) He foresees their destruction. (8-17) 1-7 In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his own house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies; the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voice of the Christian when under temptation, affliction, and persecution. And thus earnestly should we pray daily, to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts. We should fear suffering as evil-doers, but not be ashamed of the hatred of workers of iniquity. It is not strange, if those regard not what they themselves say, who have made themselves believe that God regards not what they say. And where there is no fear of God, there is nothing to secure proper regard to man. 8-17 It is our wisdom and duty, in times of danger and difficulty, to wait upon God; for he is our defence, in whom we shall be safe. It is very comfortable to us, in prayer, to look to God as the God of our mercy, the Author of all good in us, and the Giver of all good to us. The wicked can never be satisfied, which is the greatest misery in a poor condition. A contented man, if he has not what he would have, yet he does not quarrel with Providence, nor fret within himself. It is not poverty, but discontent that makes a man unhappy. David would praise God because he had many times, and all along, found Him his refuge in the day of trouble. He that is all this to us, is certainly worthy of our best affections, praises, and services. The trials of his people will end in joy and praise. When the night of affliction is over, they will sing of the Lord's power and mercy in the morning. Let believers now, in assured faith and hope, praise Him for those mercies, for which they will rejoice and praise him for ever.