A Complaint of False Friends
But it was thou, a man mine equal, whom David esteemed of the same rank with himself, my guide and mine acquaintance, rather, “my companion and my intimate friend,” the reference probably being to Ahithophel, the Gilonite, 2 Sam. 15, 12.
V. 14. We took sweet counsel, enjoying the intimacy of friendship, together and walked into the house of God in company,associating also in public, at the great festivals of Israel, when their close companionship was witnessed by all the people. Such conduct in betraying the love of a pure friendship fills David with righteous anger, causing him to call upon God for revenge.
V. 15. Let death seize upon them, the treacherous friends, and let them go down quick into hell, into the realm of death, with a living body as in the case of Korah, Num. 16, 30; for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them, within the hearts. This was said without a feeling of personal hatred and vengeance, as a call for the punishment of God upon such as were wicked beyond the hope of correction.
V. 16. As for me, placing his own person in emphatic opposition to his enemies, I will call upon God, in fervent and constant prayer; and the Lord shall save me, that being the firm conviction of his faith.
V. 17. Evening and morning and at noon, the three principal periods of the day usually observed as special times of prayer, will I pray and cry aloud, complaining and moaning; and He shall hear my voice. V. 18. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle, or war, that was against me, granting him peace and security; for there were many with me, rather, “for with many are they against me,” a multitude being arrayed against him.
V. 19. God shall hear and afflict them, hearing their fierce tumult and answering them as the stern Judge, even He that abideth of old, the Refuge of the believers from everlasting to everlasting. Selah. Because they have no changes, were unwilling to turn from their evil conduct, their treacherous behavior, therefore they fear not God. It is such people whom the vengeance of the Lord will strike.
V. 20. He, the treacherous friend described above, hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him, profaning the solemn covenant of intimate friendship; he hath broken his covenant, that of mutual faithfulness.
V. 21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, with oily hypocrisy, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil,dripping smoothness and good will, yet were they drawn swords, his entire behavior being hypocrisy and deceit.
For his own consolation David cries out: v. 22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, the word referring to every believer’s lot in life, whatever may be laid upon him according to the gracious will of his heavenly Father, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved, preventing the believer’s sinking to the ground under the burden assigned him.
V. 23. But Thou, O God, shalt bring them, the false friends, down into the pit of destruction, to the pit or depth of the grave, a prey of an unwelcome death; bloody and deceitful men, who delight in treachery and violence, shall not live out half their days, not live half as long as ordinary conditions would seem to warrant. But I will trust in Thee, the believers of all times joining him in this implicit trust in God.