It’s easy for Christians to feel that we are under attack. The Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council reports that “criminal acts against churches have been steadily on the rise for the past several years, and the first quarter of 2023 has continued the upward trend. The first three months of 2023 saw approximately three times the number of acts of hostility perpetrated against churches in the same timeframe last year” (see EF23D04.pdf (frc.org)).

But David’s example shows us that this is really nothing new. For even though David tried to help King Saul by playing the harp to calm the king when evil spirits tormented him (I Samuel 16:23), and even though David fought whatever battles the king sent him to fight (I Samuel 18:5), Saul resented David’s popularity and success (I Samuel 18:9). In fact, on several occasions, Saul went so far as to try to kill David (I Samuel 18:11), eventually sending his henchmen to arrest and execute David (I Samuel 19:11).

So, how did David respond to such unjust persecution? In Psalm 59 he made it clear that he would not try to avenge himself. Instead, he pleaded with God to punish the treachery of the unbelievers (Psalm 59:5), while relying on God to protect him from their attacks (Psalm 59:9-10, 16). And in the face of our own adversaries we would do well to follow David’s example of trusting in God’s power and justice.

But we should also pay close attention to the reasons David wanted God to vindicate him. For David wasn’t primarily concerned with his own reputation, or even his own safety. Yes, he wanted God to let the wicked be caught in their own proud lies (Psalm 59:12), but only so that onlookers might come to know that God is real, and that He really does rule over His people (Psalm 59:13). In fact, David even begged God not to kill his enemies, because if they were completely gone, other people might be tempted to forget both their evil deeds and God’s righteous judgment of them (Psalm 59:11).

In short, David was mainly concerned about God’s glory and the expansion of God’s kingdom. David wanted God to display His justice so that more people might come to recognize His goodness and power, so that more people might join David in singing God’s praise and trusting in God’s unconditional, covenant-keeping love for protection from evil (Psalm 59:17). Will we share this quiet confidence in the face our own enemies today – and for the same reasons?

Psalm 59 (NASB)

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when Saul sent men, and they watched the house in order to kill him.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from those who do iniquity, And save me from men of bloodshed.
3 For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; Fierce men launch an attack against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD,
4 For no guilt of mine, they run and set themselves against me. Arouse Thyself to help me, and see!
5 And Thou, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity. Selah.
6 They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city.
7 Behold, they belch forth with their mouth; Swords are in their lips, For, they say, “Who hears?”
8 But Thou, O LORD, dost laugh at them; Thou dost scoff at all the nations.
9 Because of his strength I will watch for Thee, For God is my stronghold.
10 My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.
11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.
12 On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, Let them even be caught in their pride, And on account of curses and lies which they utter.
13 Destroy them in wrath, destroy them, that they may be no more; That men may know that God rules in Jacob, To the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And they return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city.
15 They wander about for food, And growl if they are not satisfied.
16 But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning, For Thou hast been my stronghold, And a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my strength, I will sing praises to Thee; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.