Conspiracy Against The Innocent
July 19, 2022
Commentary
David became an old hand at dealing with danger. He was near death’s door time and time again. As a teenage shepherd boy in the Judean Hills David had barely escaped the jaws of wild beasts. He had faced the threats of Goliath in the valley of Eloh. But the dangers he faced in this chapter were of a different nature when he said, “Deliver me from mine enemies” (v. 1).
When King Saul was in deep depression David was hired to sing for him and soothe his troubled soul with music on his harp. Saul developed a deep admiration for this handsome musician. However, when David slew Goliath Saul’s love for David turned to suspicion and jealousy. Time and again he eyed David and sought to slay him. During this time David cried out to the Lord to hold back the hand of this bloodthirsty and jealous king (v. 2). He cries out to the Lord to be saved from these evildoers and bloodthirsty men who lay in wait to kill him, who conspire against him, even though he had done nothing wrong. (vv. 3-4). He prays to be delivered from this desperate situation.
David pleads with his Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, as if to win the Lord’s favor through the variety of names by which he addresses God (v. 5). David’s enemies were like a pack of half-starved dogs barking at his gate (v. 6). These vile men curse God as if He cannot hear and will not respond (v. 7). They had been deliberately unleashed by the king and were hot on his trail. However, David is convinced that God will meet him with His protective mercy in this time of need (v. 8).
Application
Have you ever been jealous of someone or something? This green eyed monster can cause me to do things that otherwise I would never dream of doing. I need to ask God to protect me and my family from this terrible monster.
Psalms 59:1– 8 (NET)
1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Protect me from those who attack me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers. Rescue me from violent men.
3 For look, they wait to ambush me; powerful men stalk me, but not because I have rebelled or sinned, O Lord.
4 Though I have done nothing wrong, they are anxious to attack. Spring into action and help me. Take notice of me.
5 You, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself and punish all the nations. Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers. (Selah)
6 They return in the evening; they growl like dogs and prowl around outside the city.
7 Look, they hurl insults at me and openly threaten to kill me, for they say, “Who hears?”
8 But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them; you taunt all the nations.