David was in a time of great difficulty because of opposition. He likens himself to a man who is about to drown or to a man who is sinking in a bog with no-one around to rescue him. Not even God has come to his rescue even although he has cried persistently with deep sorrow. His opponents are many and mighty, and they attack him with false accusations. Yet he knows that he has not done anything that deserves such hostility, even although he is a sinner in God’s sight. Perhaps God has something against him because of some folly, and that is why his prayers seem not to be heard. But his opponents have no such reason for their response (vv. 1-5).
David reveals his love for God’s people in verse 6. He does not want them to be discouraged by his circumstances or undergo personal disgrace because of what is happening to him. Even his own family have disowned him. Yet all along he has been very devoted to God’s cause. But his expressions of devotion, such as fasting for sin and wearing of sackcloth, have been mocked by many, including those who rule (sitting in the gate) and those who get drunk. Nevertheless, he remains devoted to God and is expecting an answer from him because he knows that his God will be faithful to his own character and yet display his abundant mercy (vv. 6-13).
David repeats his lament in verses 14-21. He longs for deliverance from his circumstances. An answer to his prayer will be an expression of divine grace. He wants the Lord to look on him, perhaps a reference to the Aaronic blessing which requested peace from God. Despite David’s circumstances, he remains God’s servant, but he desperately wants divine action on his behalf. He mentions to God the details that the Lord already knows - his reproach, his dishonour, his isolation, his enemies, his sorrow, the attempts to kill him. Only the Lord has the power to deliver him, to ransom him.
Verses 22-29 is an imprecatory section of his prayer when he asks for divine judgement to be enacted on his opponents. His requests are severe, but that does not make them sinful. In rebelling against him, those opponents were rebelling against God because he had chosen David to be his king. Persistent antagonism against David was evidence that they were opposed strongly to God. David does not want them to live since that is their way of life. In contrast, he asks for divine vindication for himself and his place of honour.
The section beginning at verse 30 indicates that David’s prayer has been answered, so perhaps he added this section once he had been delivered from his predicament. He intended to express his gratitude at the sanctuary, and this response would please the Lord much more than mere conforming to a sacrificial ritual. His expression of gratitude would also encourage the devout in Israel because they would see once again that God answers prayer. Moreover, with David restored to power, the country would make progress that would prepare it well for future generations. Indeed, such had been the nature of his deliverance that David wanted the whole of creation to praise the Lord (vv. 30-36).
This psalm reminds us of the importance of persistent prayer and patience when in difficult circumstances. Such persistent prayer is not merely formal, but energetic. While those praying in such a time will not know how God will answer, they can specify what they want him to do. A powerful argument in such prayer is what a divine answer will mean for the ongoing prosperity of the kingdom of God.
Despite some of the expressions in the psalm, there are parts of it that are applied to Jesus in the New Testament. He would not have made the confession of sin that David made in verse 5, nor is there any sign in the New Testament that someone tried to poison his food, although Matthew mentions that Jesus on the cross was offered gall and vinegar (Matt. 27:34, 48). On the other hand, false accusations were made about him and his devotion to God was despised and misinterpreted by his own brothers. His zeal for the things of God were noticed by his disciples and made them apply verse 9 to him (John 2:17), and Paul too quotes verse 9 (Rom. 15:3) and applies it to Jesus bearing reproach for his devotion. In a far greater manner than was the case with David, the exaltation of Jesus brings about spiritual prosperity for his cause.
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