Day 855: Responding to the ruthless - Psalm 54

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?” 1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. 2-3 O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers (insolent men) have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah.

4-5 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. 6-7 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 54 English Standard Version

What a contrast David's words are to the words Jesus spoke when He said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45) Does the Old Testament have a different message to the New Testament? Does God's word contradict itself?

David's was responding to people who had betrayed him, even though he had done them no harm, when he was in hiding from King Saul who wanted to kill him. I suspect his response was what most of us would have felt in similar circumstances. So the Bible shows us the human heart. But what was the good thing David did in his situation? (vs1-3)

He cried out to God for help. He knew that God was the only one who could rescue him. The apostle Paul was later to say something similar as he looked back on the dangers he had faced in his lifetime. He wrote: “The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength . . . and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:17-18) When we face hostility we must not hate our enemies, but rather cry out to God to come to our aid.

Does this mean that people who, as David says in vs 3, “were ruthless” and “who sought his life; and did not set God before themselves”, will simply walk away from their crimes? Do those who have persecuted God's people through the ages get off lightly? What does David say about this in vs 4-5?

No, they will not get off lightly. They may escape being held accountable in this world, but they will be held to account by God Himself, sometimes in this world, certainly on Judgment Day. Paul reminded Christians who were facing persecution in Rome of this when he wrote: “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, I will take revenge; I will pay them back,' says the Lord.” (Romans 13:17-19 Paraphrased version.)

So the Bible does not contradict itself. David expressed something that will come to pass. God will avenge His saints and bring judgment on ruthless people who have no time for Him. It was even written of Jesus that God said: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Psalm 110:1) And the apostle Paul said of Christ: “He must reign until He has put all his enemies under His feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26)

What was David's response to knowing he would triumph over his enemies? (vs 6-7)

It was one of heartfelt thanksgiving and praise to God for having rescued him. Like Paul he was able to say “The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” That's the triumph in store for every believer over ruthless people.