David’s enemies spoke lies about him, not a word from their mouth can be trusted. Their heart, the source of the lies is filled with destruction. David did not take revenge against his enemy’s lies. He did not strike out against them. He may have been king when he wrote these words. He may have been running from Saul in the desert and lonely places. He may have been a soldier in the army when Saul was king. He did not take revenge. Instead, he brought his anguish to God in prayer. He asks God to declare them guilty and banish them.
David is not alone and he knows it. He knew others experienced this too. He prayed for them, “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
The righteous will have enemies who spread lies. Yet the Lord does bless the righteous. He surrounds them with his favor. Some may ask how can having enemies who spread lies about them be God’s favor. Others know that this was also the way they treated Jesus, the Son of God who went about doing good. Jesus told us, “If this is the way they treated me, then they will treat you this way too. All will hate you on account of me.” (Mark 13:9, John 15:21)
