This Psalm was written when David was in peril of life at the hands of the Philistines. You can read about this in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. David responded to the fear by acting like he was insane. The Philistine king responded by letting David go.
To the Chief Musician. Set to "The Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath
1 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;
Fighting all day he oppresses me.
2 My enemies would hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
David was feeling the oppression of his enemies. He felt as though they were swallowing him up, engulfing his life. All day long they fought him. He couldn't catch a break; he couldn't get away from the relentless attacks. If only, just for a few minutes, he could find some peace and quiet. Haven't we all felt that way?
Is that why David went to
3 Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
4 In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
Was this an affirmation for future reference or had David's actions revealed his trust? Was drooling on your beard and acting crazy a work of the flesh or faith? After we see God move, after we discover His purpose and plan, and after we are out of the stressful or threatening situation, it is much easier to speak of our trust and faith. We tend to react to circumstances by emotion, but we must make a decision to trust Him and put our faith in God's plan.
David discovered a powerful truth. What can flesh do to me if I am in God's hand? What can a mere man do if I am in the shadow of His wings? God is fully aware of my circumstances. He has placed me here to build my faith, test my response or just to be faithful as he works in the lives of others. This verse is quoted in Hebrews 13:6.
If we are in Christ, we are bought and paid for. If Gold chooses to use us and end our life to bring him glory in some situation, who are we to complain? We were spiritually dead before we knew Him, now we are alive. Even physical death can't change our spiritual life and destiny. What can man do to me? Nothing!
5 All day they twist my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather together,
They hide, they mark my steps,
When they lie in wait for my life.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity?
In anger cast down the peoples, O God!
The evil of the world is consumed with extending that evil to God's people. Men love darkness and they want to bring others to their darkness. Most don't realize that's where they are until they see and experience the light. This evil and darkness is all consuming. No thoughts are held captive because there are no boundaries. They think evil, they gather in the name of evil, they hide and spy and skulk in evil, they seek after the righteous. Will these men get a free pass and get away with this evil before the eyes of God? David asked the question and suggested God vent His anger on them.
8 You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
These evil men may mark David's steps and seek after him but God was the one marking David's life. God was keeping score. David asked God to remember all the times he had to run away from this evil. God would keep track of all the times he hid in caves, ran to stay one step ahead of those who would kill him, every time he felt betrayed and shed tears in grief.
Once again David shows his confidence. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
10 In God (I will praise His word),
In the LORD (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Similar to verses 3 and 4 this must be the chorus to the song. God's word strengthens us and emboldens us so we can have confidence to trust Him. And when we trust Him we won't be afraid. We discover there is nothing to be afraid of. At that point, again we say, what can a man do that God doesn't ultimately allow or cause?
12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;
I will render praises to You,
13 For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living?
It may be that David made some vows to God while in these circumstances. He takes these vows seriously and confirms that they are binding. David didn't renege on vow and promise when his circumstances improved. God had kept His word and been faithful and that's what allowed David to walk and live in the light and among the living.
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