defended

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 wrote these words of confident trust as he processed horrible mistreatment by people who should have cared about him. The psalm is heavy on lament and calls God to justice. It does not necessarily suggest a specific occasion for its composition, but I could see David having these thoughts during Absalom’s revolt, when civil war drove David from the throne and many people turned against him. Look at how David describes his mistreatment and see if you can’t identify with it:

• People spread lies about him (Psalm 109:2).
• He is attacked without mercy (Psalm 109:3).
• People that he loves accuse him (perhaps this is his own son?) (Psalm 109:4-5).
• Actions toward David are unkind (Psalm 109:16).
• There is no mercy or empathy for David’s broken heart (Psalm 109:16).
• Curses are called down upon David (Psalm 109:17-18).

David is affected by all this accusation and hatred directed at him. Look at how he feels:

• He is the poor and needy one in the psalm (Psalm 109:22).
• He feels wasted and weak (Psalm 109:23-24).
• He is scorned socially, feeling alone and rejected by people in general (Psalm 109:25).

But David trusts God beyond the intensity and immensity of the hate directed at him. He clings to God’s steadfast love, trusts that God will in the end show His power, believes God can turn their curses into His blessings, and trusts God to put sinful accusers to shame (Psalm 109:26-28).

In the end, even if others hate us, ridicule us, reject us, or cancel us, those who trust Christ will be vindicated… for He Who is at the Father’s right hand defends the right hand of those who need Him (Psalm 109:31)!