David speaking about the enemy! 22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
may they have no acquittal from you.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
let them not be enrolled among the righteous. – In almost all of the Psalm, which we have looked at over the last couple of days, David has poured out his woes at being attacked by many from many directions. This section above sounds so human, but so ‘unChristian’. It sounds vindictive and extreme! Do you ever feel like this? But remember passages like Nahum 1: 2-3a – The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.
Speaking on his own behalf, David continues: 29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!
30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it. – It seems to me that David goes on to present an excellent world view. a) He admits his problem. b) He acknowledges the only One who can help him, he praises God in song, and worship. c) He puts the sincerity of his relationship with God higher than expensive total sacrifice. d) He acknowledges that God is concerned for His people, and declares his own desire for Universal praise of God. d) He prays for Jerusalem and the Jews, his city and his people! A thought for us – What we truly believe in our hearts defines our world view. Sadly too few these days have a Christian world view. Or even sometimes, as Christians, we have let the Biblical world view be twisted into horrible travesties of God’s revealed Way!
Romans 12: 19-21 – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Prayer: Help me to be honest with You and faithful in my response to Your leading!
As I read it! 