Psalms 64:1–6
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This is another of David’s prayers for God’s judgement on his enemies. He prayed for protection from those who conspired against him. It seems that this psalm could have been written at the time of the Absalom rebellion. The conspiracy against David was being carried forward by malicious tongues. Two forces were at work against David - one was conspiracy and the other was open rebellion. He describes his oppressors as those who “whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows.” The king’s enemies used slander as their master weapon against him.

For several years two men, who had been in David’s inner-circle, had nursed secret resentments against him: Absalom, the king’s favorite son and Ahithophel, one of his closest associates.  Because Absalom murdered his brother Amnon, for what he did to his sister Tamar, David banished him from the king’s courts and this angered Absalom. Absalom decided to take the throne away from his father. It would have been very long odds for him to do this if he had not had Ahithophel join him in this game plan. Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather who had never forgiven David for his sin.

This psalm shares David’s heart as he goes to the Lord and tells Him how his enemies are united in this malicious betrayal. David just pours his heart out to God who he knew would hear his voice. We can only imagine the lies that were being circulated against David. He, no doubt, felt more keenly about the loss of his character than he did the loss of his kingdom. It was beyond David. He had never experienced such deliberate, painstaking betrayal before.

Application

Words spoken against me may be some of the most painful attacks I may have to face in this life.  If I trust in God, these attacks will not hurt me. God can fight my battles much better than I can so I must be determined to let Him do it.