Stand on the Steadfast Love of the Lord in the Company of Enemies in Psalm 109

“Be not silent, O God of my praise!” Psalm 109:1

David enters the presence of God with praise. He implores God to speak and not to be silent. Men with wicked and deceitful mouths and lying tongues speak against him. They surround him with hate and yet attack him without cause. David loves the people, but they accuse him.

“…but I give myself to prayer.” Psalm 109:4

David prays expecting God to open his mouth with an answer. His enemies reward him with evil when he does good; they reward him with hatred when he displays love. David gives himself to prayer trusting that the guilty will be tried and defeated. If you read Psalm 109:6-15, you’ll read a prayer for the resounding defeat of David’s enemies.

But there’s a reason he prays this prayer. His enemies pursue the poor and needy, too. There’s injustice abounding. The enemies do not show kindness. Instead, David’s enemies seek to kill the brokenhearted. The strong are taking advantage of the weak. His enemies withheld blessing and delivered curses. David goes on the offense in his prayer to defend the weak. His enemies wear curses like a garment, and David prays that those curses seep into the bones of his enemies. David prays asking that this is the reward of his accusers.

“But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!” Psalm 109:21

David presses in and leans into God’s steadfast love and sees that it is good. He asks the Lord to work on his behalf for the Lord’s name’s sake. Psalm 31:3 reminds us that we are led and guided by God not only for our sake but for the sake of God’s name. David asks that God deliver him because he, too, is poor and needy. His heart is struck down. He compares himself to a disappearing shadow and like a lowly locust. His knees are weak and his body is gaunt. He is an object of scorn to his enemies. They wag their heads at him.

“Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!” Psalm 109:26

David teaches us a secret to walking through difficult times. Lament is liberating if you press through all the way to trusting. David beseeches God to save him according to his steadfast love. He cries out for help. He turns to God and not to man.

David acknowledges that any rescue is from the hand of God. He alone can accomplish protection. David rests in the blessing of God even at the cursing of his enemies. Steadfast love is that protective.

“Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!” Psalm 109:28

David stands firm in the blessing and gladness that comes from the steadfast love of the Lord. He knows, regardless of what appears now, the end will reveal his salvation.

And now, convinced of the steadfast love of the Lord, he lifts his grateful heart to God. He praises him among the multitudes. He is convinced that God stands close to rescue him from death.

“With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.” Psalm 109:30-31