I Take Refuge in You
The psalm opens with its difficult heading and David's declaration that he takes refuge in the LORD from pursuers who would otherwise tear him apart like a lion. The danger is immediate and violent, with no human rescuer in view.
A1 Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. 2or they will shred my soul like a lion
David then places himself under oath before God, declaring that if he has committed the wrong alleged against him, let the enemy overtake and trample him. The prayer is not a claim to sinlessness in every respect, but a readiness to be judged truthfully in the matter at hand.
3O LORD my God, if I have done this, 4if I have rewarded my ally with evil, 5then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me;
On that basis David asks the LORD to arise in anger against his enemies and to take his seat in judgment over the assembled peoples. He welcomes the LORD's verdict over all the nations and asks specifically that evil be brought to an end while the righteous are established, since God searches hearts and minds.
6Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; 7Let the assembled peoples gather around You; 8The LORD judges the peoples; 9Put an end to the evil of the wicked,
David confesses that his shield is with God, who saves the upright and judges righteously every day. If the wicked do not turn, God sharpens his sword and prepares his bow, showing that divine patience does not cancel divine readiness to judge.
10My shield is with God, 11God is a righteous judge 12If one does not repent, 13He has prepared His deadly weapons;
The wicked are pictured as conceiving evil, digging a pit, and then falling into the very destruction they prepared for others. Because violence recoils on its author, David ends not in anxiety but in thanks, singing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
14Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; 15He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; 16His trouble recoils on himself, 17I will thank the LORD for His righteousness