Deeper ReflectionTHIS PSALM is attributed to David who wrote it in the context of King Saul sending men to put David’s house under surveillance for an opportunity to take his life (see 1 Sam 19:11).
23 To David, this scheme to attack and murder him was without cause and an outworking of evil. David calls upon God for help (vv.1-2). He prays to God for protection and deliverance from his enemies. They are fierce and bloodthirsty like wild dogs (vv.6, 14), seeking an opportune time to kill David. Yet he expresses
full confidence in God’s timely deliverance – David will watch for God, who will give him the victory in due time (vv.9-10). This kind of confidence in God is certainly not easy to maintain in such a situation. It is an example of walking by faith and not by sight. Because what David sees with his physical eyes are fierce and imminent threats to his life (vv.6-7, 14-15). Did you notice the “But” in verse 16? This little conjunction contrasts and highlights David’s internal convictions in the face of the external threats. The dangers are real and the enemies fearsome, but God is with David! God is his Strength every day and all his days! Likewise for us, days of distress will come and go throughout life’s journey on this side of eternity. But God is our Strength! God’s steadfast love endures forever and is expressed in our today. Day by day we can experience God’s loyal love, faithful protection and deliverance:
“I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning” (v.16).
23 There seems to be wider context as well, because David also referred to “all the nations” (vv.5, 8), that is, the enemies of Israel. Therefore, part of David’s petition to God was for Him to punish those enemies in such a way that the nations will know that the God of Israel is almighty and sovereign over all the earth (vv.11-13).
