For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.
Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it!
And let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it—to his destruction!
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD,
exulting in his salvation.
All my bones shall say,
“O LORD, who is like you,
delivering the poor
from him who is too strong for him,
the poor and needy from him who robs him?”
Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me of things that I do not know.
They repay me evil for good;
my soul is bereft.
But I, when they were sick—
I wore sackcloth;
I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.
I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
as one who laments his mother,
I bowed down in mourning.
Comment: There are 4 parts to this portion of the Psalm.
- Lines 1-5. David’s enemy, as was done in forest fighting, set net snares and dug pits to capture and kill David. David wishes the enemy to trip into the trap which he had set for David. At the thought of it David rubs his hands with glee!
- Lines 6-13. David shouts thanks for God delivering him, but also notes how widespread is the mercy of God.
- Lines 14-17. The maliciousness of their false testimony in spite of David’s attempt at helping them is again highlighted.
- Lines 18-end. David describes the extent of caring which he had displayed for them when they were in trouble. He had treated his enemy very well. Story to be continued tomorrow.
Prayer: Strengthen me to be wise and true to You as I live amongst my neighbours, friends and foes alike.
As I read it! 