Fear of Others
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· 18 viewsMuch of how we live is fuelled by our fear. What are you scared of? How do you live because of your fear of pthers?
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The New Bible Commentary Psalm 55. Solutions, Deceptive and Real
Psalm 55. Solutions, deceptive and real
The sequence I said (6) … I call (16) … I trust (23) expresses the movement of this psalm. In dire straits (1–5), David would gladly flee from the whole situation (6–8) but chooses to counter ceaseless opposition (10) by ceaseless prayer (17) and so rests in trust (23).
A1 (vs 1–3) Prayer because of the enemy
B (vs 4–21) Solutions
b1 (vs 4–8) A solution in flight?
b2 (vs 9–21) The solution in prayer
A2 (vs 22–23) Trust in the face of the enemy
1–3 At the end of my tether there is a place called Prayer. Thoughts trouble, (2) ‘I am at my wits’ end’; distraught, demoralized. 3 Stares, better ‘pressure’; revile, ‘bear a grudge’: what they say (voice), their pressuring, the ‘trouble’ (suffering) which they bring down (‘make to slip [like an avalanche]’, cf. 22), the animosity they cherish (anger). Such may be the experience of the believer. The lesson David learned was to make the pressure of people press him to prayer.
4–8 Getting away from it all. 4, 5 outline the problem; 6–8 offer an attractive solution. 4 is in anguish, ‘writhes’. 5 Horror, ‘shuddering’. We do not know what situation David refers to but NIV’s five nouns and three verbs leave us in no doubt of its deadly, terrifying nature. 6–8 contain all the appeal of solving problems by flight—to enjoy rest, be undisturbed and find shelter while the storm rages elsewhere.
9–21 The sharpest blow, the surest solution—prayer. 9–11 Constant pressure: day and night. 12–14 The deepest grief, fellowship violated. 15–19 Constant prayer: evening, morning, noon. 20, 21 The deepest grief, covenant violated.
The answer is not fleeing from the situation, but calling God into the situation; not the natural solution of escapism but the spiritual solution of prayer. 9 David prayed a similar prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31, but the psalm did not originate there: for at that point David was in flight—though not into peace. Here the danger is right inside the city and David is our example in countering it by direct and vigorous prayer. 10 Malice … abuse, ‘mischief … trouble’. 12–14 Among the company opposing him (9, 10, 15, 19) one inflicts the saddest blow, a friend (13) and one-time spiritual confidant (14). David is walking in the shadow cast by a coming, greater betrayal (Mt. 26:47, 48; Mk. 14:43–45; Lk. 22:47, 48. Note how all the accounts say ‘one of the twelve’.)
15 We will be in a position to criticize the boldness of David’s prayer here when we have stood in a like danger—to ourselves (4, 5) and to others (9–11), (cf. 2 Ki. 2:24). The Lord Jesus, in his perfection, pronounced a woe upon Judas (Mt. 26:24). The prayer matches God’s law (Dt. 19:19) by requesting for them what they threatened to him (4); it also mirrors the action of God himself when, earlier, his appointed leader was threatened (Nu. 16:28–33). Yet note that the motive (15) for this dire prayer is not the threat they constitute to David, but the fact that they have opened themselves as a lodging-house for (plural of amplification) ‘every sort of evil’. The prayer is a product of moral conviction. 16–19 David’s prayer is a committed policy, I call (16), emphatic, ‘But I for my part …’; a sustained discipline, evening, morning, … noon (17); and rests on what the Lord does—saves (16), hears (17), ransoms (finds the total and sufficient solution for my need, 18)—and on what the Lord is—enthroned (19).
22, 23 A counsel, a confidence, a truth and an example. In v 23, for but read ‘for’. The counsel to others to commit all to God in the confidence that he will sustain arises from what is true about the Lord in his opposition to the wicked. Thus the verses pinpoint what you should do, what the Lord does, for the righteous (those right with him, (22)); for the wicked (23); and what I do (23). 22 Cast, ‘Throw’, vigorous action. Cares, ‘allocation’, what is allotted to you. Sustain, the promise is not to remove the burden but to sustain the person. Fall, from the same verb as ‘cause to slip’ (3). However heavy the avalanche of trouble that slips down, the righteous will not be suffered to slip.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.”
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go around it
on its walls,
and iniquity and trouble are within it;
ruin is in its midst;
oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.
Let death steal over them;
let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice.
He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
God will give ear and humble them,
he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
because they do not change
and do not fear God.
My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;
he violated his covenant.
His speech was smooth as butter,
yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
But you, O God, will cast them down
into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.
PRAYER
What scares you?
What keep you up at night?
Is it the big stuff?
Or the small stuff?
Is it the scary stuff?
Or the seemingly innocuous
Is it logical?
Clowns?
Or is it very real, everyday stuff, taking up your thoughts and keeping you up at night.?
Maybe ..
Are you fearing a conversation with someone coming up tomorrow?
Fearing the next time your child son or daughter bursts out and challenges you?
Fear of what tomorrow will look like, because your job is on the line?
Are you scared to upset those around you, fear of yourself, the unknown, God?
And what is your default response? (Pic head in the sand)
head down and hope it will go away
if that’s you.. you are not alone.....you have company (Pic #7)
Fact is we are wired for fear. Our brains are wired to perceive danger and decide to run toward it or run away.
To fight is or to flee it.
Or fear of that person may cause us to keep qwuiet and let them go down a dangerous road.
But there is something deeper isn’t there? More than just something biological going on; sweating, increase in heart rate. There is a spiritual aspect.
Around the globe, household wealth, longevity and education are on the rise, while violent crime and extreme poverty are down. In the U.S., life expectancy is higher than ever, our air is the cleanest it's been in a decade, and despite a slight uptick last year, violent crime has been trending down since 1991. As reported in The Atlantic, 2015 was "the best year in history for the average human being."
So how is it possible to be living in the safest time in human history, yet at the exact same time to be so scared?
Because, according to Glassner, "we are living in the most fearmongering time in human history. And the main reason for this is that there's a lot of power and money available to individuals and organizations who can perpetuate these fears."
But there is something deeper isn’t there. There is a spiritual aspect.
Jesus said
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
So the invitation of Jesus is not to fear but something different.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Sounds like a great invitation doesn’t it?
John in his First letter…said
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
that he came to give life and life more abundantly
perfect love drives out fear.....so
If fear is the enemy of life and the perfect love of Christ,...
(Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends - John 15:13)
has come to do battle with fear- (giving us abundant life), it seem clear that the enemy of God, the devil, would do battle against the saints- the children with God - with fear!!!!
And anyone who ever walks with Jesus and walks with a constant fear is now burdened with one more burning question. Where is the abundant life in all this fear?
Where is the abundant life? Where is God?
Some of us have asked that this week!
Fortunately you and I are not the first people to ask that question.
Those whose lives we love to preach about in the OT, almost always had times in their lives where they asked.....God, where are you?
PAUSE
We are walking through a 4 week series on FEAR called Fear Not.
Seemingly a ridiculous request!!!!
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa.
Fear not!????
We are in a world saturated in fear. Right?
Notice no mention of delivery (in the larger narrative of scripture yes). Today, tomorrow; not necessarily
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We are in a world saturated in fear. Right?
Terrorism- NY
Snipers in Vegas - Las Vegas
a rise in overdoses (Fentanyl deaths of those close to us)
Sometimes this stuff hits very close, and for many here it is out there somewhere..
But what about when it is VERY close. In our home, our work place, school.
Scripture makes it pretty clear that we are not alone on this.
And in the midst of it we find ourselves probably echoing the sentiment of David.
God…listen to me!!!
It is not a news story about New York or Brussels, or Vegas---this is much closer to home.
It isn’t a result of fear- mongering and repetition on CNN, political rhetoric, it is the result of actual experience, and the fear was mixed with very real emotion hurt.
I. DAVID’S CALL FOR HELP (vv.1-3)
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
Does sound like a prayer you’ve prayed?
they are always in my ear
oppressing me
dropping trouble on me
they’ve got a grudge- they are angry with me and they keep letting me know it.
II. DAVID’S HONEST CONFESSION (vv.4-5)
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.
anguish
terror
fear
trembling
horror
overwhelmed
ever have any of those. this week maybe?
For some it is an unnamed fear/ and anxiety you can’t pin down, overwhelmed!
Or maybe it is very real, very obvious and you wonder what kind of control you can have over the situation.
III. DAVID’S DIAGNOSIS
This is not an inner anxiety that cannot be named. He knows exactly where it is coming from.
David points out 2 areas:
The one after God’s own heart!!
A. Fear of the Mob
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace.
David is doing what you and I do when we watch the evening news. We look at all the reports from the city and say the city is in bad shape.
Look at all the criminals in the city.
Look at the ruin and cheating and lying that is going on.
PROBLEM is for many of us, and this is a constant theme in scripture- we take our narrative of the world and where it is going from the news.
We take our cue of how scared we should be, what our fear level should be from the new anchors.
For many of us
We lament---we reminisce about the days when we were young......
Th kind that glues us to the tv set and wonder where the good old days are?
When we could play outside until 11PM.
When they could take the bus downtown, and walk home late safely and
the cement was made of pillows!!!!
It seemed safer!
It is the kind of fear that makes us move from love and desire for the lost to be found and moves us to an us and them mentality.
This is the kind of fear that media is great at feeding off of!!
The kind that glues us to the tv set and wonder where the good old days are?
We end up believe in that we are in the worst days;
I cam across an article in Rolling Stone magazine this week that
According to Barry Glassner, one of the country's leading sociologists and author of The Culture of Fear, "Most of us are living in the safest place at the safest time in human history."
Around the globe, household wealth, longevity and education are on the rise, while violent crime and extreme poverty are down. In the U.S., life expectancy is higher than ever, our air is the cleanest it's been in a decade, and despite a slight uptick last year, violent crime has been trending down since 1991. As reported in The Atlantic, 2015 was "the best year in history for the average human being."
So how is it possible to be living in the safest time in human history, yet at the exact same time to be so scared?
Because, according to Glassner, "we are living in the most fearmongering time in human history. And the main reason for this is that there's a lot of power and money available to individuals and organizations who can perpetuate these fears."
Now fearmongering is literally the selling of fear!!
And you and I should not be buying it.
Should we be concerned? Of course!
Should we have discussion about the state of the world?
Absolutely!
Because you and I as those living in the light of the Gospel have the words of life. We are children of light, and the world needs light.
The world needs a new narrative that begins and ends with a God who is in control. So you and I are given the opportunity to quelch fear with the good news of Jesus.
Is that where we are, or are we buying and consuming fear?
Remember the context of David’s Psalm- this is not sitting together with other to talk about the world going to hell in a hand-basket, who is he sharing this with?......God
Why? Maybe because he knows the difference between living in fear with others and throwing more fuel on the fire with friends, and giving our concerns and requests to God.
What is our default?
PAUSE
And then comes the most difficult part- David says, looking at vs 12...
For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.
B. Fear of False Friends (vv.12-14)
What a heart wrenching description:
not an enemy, an army, something I could see coming from a distance, I could have prepared for it . not some guy hiding behind a computer in his moms basement, its......you!!!
a beautiful but painful switch in David’s poem, it is as if he is looking at his betrayer in the eye.
it’s you.....my friend.......my close friend. We used to talk and give advice to each other. we trusted each other...we encouraged each other
we worshipped together
and you betray me!!
I could see this coming from somewhere else.....but you!
Ever been there?
Are you there now?
Trusted someone.
Now the relationship is broken.
Now there is so much fear of more hurt.
Fear that you’ll say the wrong thing.
So the result is distance. Maybe the result is gathering an audience.
And when you’re near them there is so much discomfort!
it is strained.
When we get there… when we get to this condition of the heart where we are looking at the world and fearing the final outcome.
When we look at those who are closer: family friends and we are walking on eggshells, scared of being broken emotionally spiritually.
onally
We have a few choices......
IV. How to Respond
A. Choose to Run
David says:
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”
Been there.
The biblical response is simple.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
pray, supplication
I’m not going out today.
Sick day.
Call display!!
cut out community
B. Choose to Condemn
v. 9 destroy them
Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
I mean what’s his problem?
But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.
look what they did!!
Create our own army.
could be our spouse
could be our life group!!
The third option is....
And then comes the most difficult part- David says, looking at vs 12...
C. Choosing to Trust ()
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.
1. cast anxieties
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
I Pet.
David always had a mouthful for God
What a heart wrenching description:
and you will notice it was never
if you’ve ever wondered if you have the right to confront God with your doubts, your fears, your complaints- Scripture makes it very clear that you do!!
What do you think you are hiding!?!?
Even complaining to God is a show of faith, because when you complain to Him you are maing it clear that HE is the one who has the ability to do something about it!
David does what....he brings it to God.
But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.
2. prayer
the entire psalm- the psalm where David calls out in complaints celebration- all prayers
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
C.S. Lewis has been quoted to say:
Prayer does not change God, it changes me
I think biblically there is more to it, but I think there is importance to the statement.
Every one of us has much to be thankful for and more than enough reason to be praising Him. We just need to put everything into perspective. Paul praised God after being beaten, stoned, whipped, and thrown in jail. Then he said these were but light afflictions that last for a moment, nothing to be compared to eternal things ().
If we gain a certain narrative from mouthfuls of fear, it stands to reason that engageing the prince of Peace, communing with the one who invited us to cst our cares upon Him, should bring about an antidote
3. thanksgiving
not an enemy, an army, something I could see coming from a distance, I could have prepared for it . not some guy hiding behind a computer in his moms basement, its......you!!!
without thanksgiving
ill. often Lalainia will find ourselves wondering how these two humans in our care will turn out. Will they follow Jesus, will they succes, what kinds of jobs will they have,
a beautiful but painful switch in David’s poem, it is as if he is looking at his betrayer in the eye.
it’s you.....my friend.......my close friend. We used to talk and give advice to each other. we trusted each other...we encouraged each other
and it can become a burden.
we worshipped together
and you betray me!!
I could see this coming from somewhere else.....but you!
Ever been there?
Are you there now?
Trusted someone.
Now the relationship is broken.
The is so much fear of more hurt.
The is fear that you’ll say the wrong thing.
So the result is distance. Maybe the result is gathering an audience.
But when we find ourselves reflecting on the gift of our children. And the great things we see in them. The joy they re…(usually)
And when you’re near them there is so much discomfort!
it is strained.
When we get there.....there are a few option
David says:
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”
And this is what results.
And this is what results.
Then, I believe one of the greatest antidotes is thanksgiving and praise. When we thank God for all His blessings, it refocuses our attention from the negative to the positive things in our lives. Sure, all of us have problems. We live in a fallen world, but God is good, and God’s goodness to us is greater than all of the Enemy’s attacks.
Every one of us has much to be thankful for and more than enough reason to be praising Him. We just need to put everything into perspective. Paul praised God after being beaten, stoned, whipped, and thrown in jail. Then he said these were but light afflictions that last for a moment, nothing to be compared to eternal things ().
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
You don’t spend months or years nurturing fear and panic and then just turn it off the next day.
comes through a giving over of anxiety and fear that comes from the nurturing of something new!!
that can only be grown out of opennly speaking your anxieties to Christ, who faced rejection friends, even the betrayal of a close friend.
Who chose death over escape; strengthend by God the Father - he is not ignorant of our fears.
It comes from giving thanks
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
____________
Doesn’t Jesus get it??
Fear of others, fear of death, rejection, from a friend- someone who ministered with him for years. Ate meals with him
You betray the Son of Man with a kiss?
You use a visible form of friendship to give me over.
Our Solution
God’s Solution
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Communion
narrative
_________________________________
Notice no mention of delivery (in the larger narrative of scripture yes). Today, tomorrow; not necessarily
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Benediction
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
-
David is beat up!
experience of betrayal
fear of others
Davis looks at his options
9-11 probably Jerusalem—that’s his home!!
David calls him out!---it was YOU!
an enemy would be better!
My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
There they are, bellowing with their mouths
with swords in their lips—
for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”
who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
Have any of those in your life?
It may be a one off, it may be their default!
David calms himself down!!
He starts with DEATH!
But you, O God, will cast them down
into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.
a very present help in times of trouble
VV. 1-3 Call for Help
VV. 3-5 - the problems / feelings
anguish within me
terrors
fear
trembling
horror
feeling overwhelmed
vv. 12-14
it makes sense when it is an enemy, but its you!!
a friend
my equal
we had a past of friendship
worshiped together
vv. 6-8 Possible solutions
9
VV. 16-17
v 22 an invitation to a new way
not the natural solution of escapism but the spiritual solution of prayer and leaning in on God
“The worst isn't the last thing about the world. It's the next to the last thing. The last thing is the best. It's the power from on high that comes down into the world, that wells up from the rock-bottom worst of the world like a hidden spring. Can you believe it? The last, best thing is the laughing deep in the hearts of the saints, sometimes our hearts even. Yes. You are terribly loved and forgiven. Yes. You are healed. All is well.”
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
. Solutions, deceptive and real
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
pray, supplication
The sequence I said (6) … I call (16) … I trust (23) expresses the movement of this psalm. In dire straits (1–5), David would gladly flee from the whole situation (6–8) but chooses to counter ceaseless opposition (10) by ceaseless prayer (17) and so rests in trust (23).
Notice no mention of delivery (in the larger narrative of scripture yes). Today, tomorrow; not necessarily
A1 (vs 1–3) Prayer because of the enemy
________________________________
Around the globe, household wealth, longevity and education are on the rise, while violent crime and extreme poverty are down. In the U.S., life expectancy is higher than ever, our air is the cleanest it's been in a decade, and despite a slight uptick last year, violent crime has been trending down since 1991. As reported in The Atlantic, 2015 was "the best year in history for the average human being."
B (vs 4–21) Solutions
So how is it possible to be living in the safest time in human history, yet at the exact same time to be so scared?
b1 (vs 4–8) A solution in flight?
Because, according to Glassner, "we are living in the most fearmongering time in human history. And the main reason for this is that there's a lot of power and money available to individuals and organizations who can perpetuate these fears."
b2 (vs 9–21) The solution in prayer
A2 (vs 22–23) Trust in the face of the enemy
1–3 At the end of my tether there is a place called Prayer. Thoughts trouble, (2) ‘I am at my wits’ end’; distraught, demoralized. 3 Stares, better ‘pressure’; revile, ‘bear a grudge’: what they say (voice), their pressuring, the ‘trouble’ (suffering) which they bring down (‘make to slip [like an avalanche]’, cf. 22), the animosity they cherish (anger). Such may be the experience of the believer. The lesson David learned was to make the pressure of people press him to prayer.
4–8 Getting away from it all. 4, 5 outline the problem; 6–8 offer an attractive solution. 4 is in anguish, ‘writhes’. 5 Horror, ‘shuddering’. We do not know what situation David refers to but NIV’s five nouns and three verbs leave us in no doubt of its deadly, terrifying nature. 6–8 contain all the appeal of solving problems by flight—to enjoy rest, be undisturbed and find shelter while the storm rages elsewhere.
9–21 The sharpest blow, the surest solution—prayer. 9–11 Constant pressure: day and night. 12–14 The deepest grief, fellowship violated. 15–19 Constant prayer: evening, morning, noon. 20, 21 The deepest grief, covenant violated.
The answer is not fleeing from the situation, but calling God into the situation; not the natural solution of escapism but the spiritual solution of prayer. 9 David prayed a similar prayer in , but the psalm did not originate there: for at that point David was in flight—though not into peace. Here the danger is right inside the city and David is our example in countering it by direct and vigorous prayer. 10 Malice … abuse, ‘mischief … trouble’. 12–14 Among the company opposing him (9, 10, 15, 19) one inflicts the saddest blow, a friend (13) and one-time spiritual confidant (14). David is walking in the shadow cast by a coming, greater betrayal (, ; ; , . Note how all the accounts say ‘one of the twelve’.)
15 We will be in a position to criticize the boldness of David’s prayer here when we have stood in a like danger—to ourselves (4, 5) and to others (9–11), (cf. ). The Lord Jesus, in his perfection, pronounced a woe upon Judas (). The prayer matches God’s law () by requesting for them what they threatened to him (4); it also mirrors the action of God himself when, earlier, his appointed leader was threatened (). Yet note that the motive (15) for this dire prayer is not the threat they constitute to David, but the fact that they have opened themselves as a lodging-house for (plural of amplification) ‘every sort of evil’. The prayer is a product of moral conviction. 16–19 David’s prayer is a committed policy, I call (16), emphatic, ‘But I for my part …’; a sustained discipline, evening, morning, … noon (17); and rests on what the Lord does—saves (16), hears (17), ransoms (finds the total and sufficient solution for my need, 18)—and on what the Lord is—enthroned (19).
22, 23 A counsel, a confidence, a truth and an example. In v 23, for but read ‘for’. The counsel to others to commit all to God in the confidence that he will sustain arises from what is true about the Lord in his opposition to the wicked. Thus the verses pinpoint what you should do, what the Lord does, for the righteous (those right with him, (22)); for the wicked (23); and what I do (23). 22 Cast, ‘Throw’, vigorous action. Cares, ‘allocation’, what is allotted to you. Sustain, the promise is not to remove the burden but to sustain the person. Fall, from the same verb as ‘cause to slip’ (3). However heavy the avalanche of trouble that slips down, the righteous will not be suffered to slip.