For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.

3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.

6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
you scoff at all those nations.

9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely. (NIV)

Once more, in this psalm we find David in very real danger. The heading of the psalm provides the context (see 1 Sam. 19:11). So David’s affirmation that God is His ”strength”, and that he ‘relies’ on Him (9,10) is truly wonderful. We note the definite requests scattered throughout these verses, and we realise that this man was asking for very real help from the God he knew to very real, and very powerful.

Matthew Henry points out that in these dire straits, David nevertheless maintained his composure and communion with God (No doubt he maintained the latter because of the former). He goes on to write:

‘And thus earnestly should we pray daily to be defended and delivered from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts, which war against our spiritual life.’

‘Deliver us from evil…’