12-15 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. – Comment: David’s betrayal is led by one with whom he was the best of friends! How deflating, disappointing, disgusting! David let’s fly a mouthful of venom. He is correct that for there is ‘for evil is in their dwelling place’ but he sounds like a bitter and ungodly man in his cursing his enemies!
16-19 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. Comment: Wisely, finally, instead of uttering curses on his former friend David turns to God in prayer. He trusts himself to God and the handling of his enemies to God also! The ‘selah’ seems to be in the wrong place in the middle of a sentence! The word means something like ‘stop and ponder that’. It is, however, much better to ponder ‘the enthronement of God from ancient times’ than ‘the faithlessness and deception of his unrepentant ex-friend!
20-21 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. Comment: It must have hurt David to the depths of his soul!
22-23 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. Comment: Two uses of the word ‘cast’. One when it wise for us to do the casting and one when it is wise to let God do the casting!
Proverbs 3: 5 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Prayer: I find it easier sometimes, my Father, to advise someone else to trust You, than to do it myself.
As I read it! 