Do not let those gloat over me
    who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
    maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
    but devise false accusations
    against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, ‘Aha! Aha!
    With our own eyes we have seen it.’

22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
    Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defence!
    Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
    do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, ‘Aha, just what we wanted!’
    or say, ‘We have swallowed him up.’

26 May all who gloat over my distress
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
    be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
    shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, ‘The Lord be exalted,
    who delights in the well-being of his servant.’

28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
    your praises all day long. NIVUK

If we have sensed David’s loneliness and isolation in this Psalm, verse 27 reveals that he did still have some friends who would delight in his vindication. His enemies fully expected, and predicted, his downfall (21,25), but David was confident he would come through, and he once again vowed to praise the Lord for his deliverance (28). He also revelled in the thought that his friends would have reason to join in the ‘praise party’ with him (27).

‘We desire that others should join us in praise. One seraph cried to another in Isaiah’s vision. There should be a holy emulation in thanksgiving. Oh, that the resolution of the psalmist might characterize us all; and that all our days might be full of praise, instead of the constant murmuring and complaining which are so rife among God’s children!’ F.B.Meyer

It is inevitable, I think, that as we read these words our minds should turn to Jesus, the only truly innocent Man to walk this earth. He also was falsely accused, and He too knew where to look for vindication (or rather, to Whom He should look):

”To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:21-23 NIV)

Jesus was falsely accused (Mark 14:56); and His enemies hated Him without cause (John 15:250

Suffering in some form or other is the norm for God’s people in this world. If it hates Jesus it will also hate us. But we are not without a Friend ‘in court’ – indeed, the highest court of all.