A Prayer For The Lord’s Protection

Commentary

For the most part this is a psalm of prayer for delive­rance from wicked men and sinful practices and it ap­pears the situation is growing desperate. The account of David in I Sam. 24:1-7 is where Saul came after him with three thousand men and David has a chance to kill Saul but refused to do so. Instead, he waited for God to deal with Saul instead of taking it into his own hands. 

David is very concerned about what he may say or do during this period of crisis (v. 3). He wants to be able to gladly welcome the rebuke of the good and rely upon prayer as his best defense against the wicked. He knew he must submit himself to divine censorship or defile his mouth with an angry retaliation on those who falsely accused him. One of our greatest enemies may be that of wealth and prosperity and no doubt played a major role in Saul’s downfall as in the lives of many kings.

David envisions himself as a guest in the home of a godly man. He says that it would be a blessing for him to sit at such a man’s table and be rebuked by him, since true friendship does not flatter; it speaks out even though the words may sting. The wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy (Prov. 27:6). In later years God answered this prayer of David. There came a day when God sent Nathan the prophet to David to reprove him for his sin with Bathsheba. Had Nathan not spoken out, David might well have died in his sin.

Application

I need to welcome the criticism of others and not be angry or seek revenge. Like David of old I need to be more concerned about my reaction to what they say, than to what they actually state.