David wrote this as a fugitive from King Saul’s injustice and abusive courts of law. Even the cities of refuge set up by the Lord through Moses in the covenant were no longer sanctuaries (Numbers 35:6-34). The rulers utilizing the power embedded in courts of law were the mouths, hands, and hearts of unrighteousness, violence, and inequity.
The psalm was applied by the early church to Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-63; John 18:12, 19-24) They took him to one high priest, then another even though the Law commanded that there be only one high priest and he was the only high priest for life. False witnesses came forward with conflicting messages. Disrespect, violence, and intimidation were used against Jesus, the falsely accused. Hate and wickedness poured disgust on the innocent accused. Power fed hate. Hate fed power. Their venomous words are like the venom of a snake.
Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
