FOR GOD IS MY DEFENCE

From the title given to this psalm, we learn that David wrote it during the time “when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him”, 1 Sam. 19. 11, 12. There appears to be confirmation of this in verse 3, “For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me”. On that occasion, his escape was assisted by Michal his wife, who proved herself to be less devoted to him at a later period, 2 Sam. 6. 20.

David does not attribute his deliverance here to his wife but to God who, he claims, was his defence (high tower, marg.), vv. 9, 16. The variety of divine titles that he employed is proof of where his confidence lay. The mighty men who were gathered together against him made him look to the One who was mightier. In the song of praise which ends the psalm, he says, “Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing”, vv. 16, 17.

There was no legitimate reason why Saul should have sought David’s life. There was no “transgression”, “sin”, or “fault” which deserved it, vv. 3, 4. It was because Saul was jealous of him, 1 Sam. 18. 7-9. The psalmist was hated without cause, just as the Lord was, John 15. 25; Psa. 35. 19; 69. 4. Jealousy is “cruel as the grave”, Song 8. 6. The cruelty of Saul towards David betrayed his envy.

The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”, and “because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you”, John 15. 18, 19. Like their Lord, they also would be hated without cause.

In poetic style, David ascended his high tower of defence and surveyed his assailants. He describes them as undomesticated, half-starved dogs that roamed the city, returning at evening with appetites unsatisfied, v. 6. His faith in “Jehovah God of hosts”, v. 5, assured him that since He was his defence, no harm could befall him, vv. 9, 10. What folly on their part to leave God out of their reckoning, v. 7, or to imagine that their counsels could succeed against Him “that ruleth in Jacob”, v. 13. We may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”, Heb. 13. 6.