Prayer of an Innocent Person against Those who Seek His Soul.
To the chief musician, Al-taschith, again according to the melody “Destroy not,” Michtam, a poem in concise form, of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him, the event being recorded, 1 Sam. 19, 11-18.
V. 1. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God, tearing him out of their hands; defend me from them that rise up against me, moving him out of their reach, upon a height, to a stronghold. Note the call of trust: my God. V. 2. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from bloody men, such as come with murderous design and intent.
V. 3. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty, those possessing power and influence in the world, are gathered against me, banded together for his destruction; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord, David feels himself innocent of any guilt which might have deserved such a persecution. V. 4. They run and prepare themselves, setting themselves in readiness to capture him, without my fault; awake to help me and behold. Yahweh, who seems asleep at this time of great emergency, is urged to rouse Himself, not to abandon him, but to meet him, as with an army of relief, to convince Himself of the great danger in which David found himself.
V. 5. Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the Commander of all the heavenly legions, the God of Israel, of the congregation of all those who truly believe in Him, awake to visit all the heathen, the expression including all the enemies of the kingdom of God; be not merciful to any wicked transgressors, namely, as long as they continue in their murderous designs against his life. Selah.
V. 6. They, the particular enemies sent to capture him, return at evening; they make a noise like a dog, howling and snarling like the roaming Oriental dogs, the scavengers of their cities, and go round about the city, preying upon the dead and even upon the helpless and feeble. V. 7. Behold, they belch out with their mouth, as the dogs do with their growling and barking; swords are in their lips, Ps. 57, 4; for who, say they, doth hear? It is an impertinent challenge, for they believe themselves safe in their wicked undertaking; they ridicule the idea that God’s punishment will strike them.
V. 8. But Thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them, in mockery and derision over their folly; Thou shalt have all the heathen, the enemies of Israel, in derision, for their puny efforts in trying to thwart His plans.