David Pleads for Deliverance from his Enemies
March 2, 2019
Commentary
Slanderers had stripped David of his honor and his character. They had lied and misrepresented him to the point that his good name was gone, and his reputation was ruined (vv. 15-16). David told the Lord how he was innocent and asked the Lord to vindicate him (v. 17). He told the Lord he would praise and thank Him in front of His people (v. 18). David prayed again that his enemies would not be allowed to have victory (vv. 19-21).
David called on God to wake up; not that He was asleep, but it is an appeal for Him to manifest Himself (v. 22). As he draws to a close in his prayer, he becomes more intense. David cries out to God to defend him when people wrongly accused Him. If we are unjustly accused, our natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or give a detailed defense of our every move. Instead, we need to ask God to fight the battle for us. He will clear the eyes of those who really matter.
David now becomes more urgent in his prayers. He asks God to end His silence and come to his defense (v. 23). He praysfor shame and confusion to be brought upon those who would bring shame and confusion upon him (vv. 24-26). When his enemies are put to flight and are silenced, David’s friends will come forth to shout with joy and be glad (v. 27). He promises to tell everyone of God’s justice and goodness, and that he will praise Him all day long (v. 28). When David praised God, his uncertainty melted away. After praise and worship David’s problem became smaller and his concept of God became greater. Praise always brings with it a proper perspective.
Application
I need to pray when I’m sad, to give thanks when I’m grateful and to praise God when I’m experiencing pain. This is good advice for me to do but hard to carry out in real life. I so desire to pray, give thanks and praise God in every situation of life but my natural tendency is to try to fix things myself.
Psalms 35:15–28 (NET)
15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest.
16 When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly, and tried to bite me.
17 O Lord, how long are you going to watch this? Rescue me from their destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions.
18 Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you before a large crowd of people.
19 Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me. Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes.
20 For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive those who live peacefully in the land.
21 They are ready to devour me; they say, “Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”
22 But you take notice, Lord; do not be silent! O Lord, do not remain far away from me.
23 Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me. My God and Lord, defend my just cause.
24 Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God. Do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha! We have what we wanted!” Do not let them say, “We have devoured him.”
26 May those who rejoice in my troubles be totally embarrassed and ashamed. May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation.
27 May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice. May they continually say, “May the Lord be praised, for he wants his servant to be secure.”
28 Then I will tell others about your justice, and praise you all day long.
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