David was prompted to write this Psalm against a background of very personal problems. A friend whom he had sympathised with and supported had betrayed his honour by slandering his character. David had been kind and tender towards this individual when he was in trouble.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth:
I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother:
I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
(v.13-14)

For this act of kindness he received maliciousness and evil intent, which caused David the deepest of distress.

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
(V11-12)

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together:
yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not;
they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts,
they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
(v15-16)

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me:
neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
(v.19-21).

David was burdened, deeply despondent because of these most challenging of circumstances.

There is no-one without burdens. One suffers disappointment and another experiences betrayal. One feels the pain of severe illness while another experiences the grief of bereavement. One is reeling from the effects of failure while another is struggling with the weight of responsibility. Everyone’s burden is personal.

This Psalm, however, provides us with a template, a useful set of instructions which assist us in understanding these burdens and how we can deal with them.

THE PAIN

Burdens by their very definition are painful.

David in this Psalm felt under attack, a very lonely place to be.

The onslaught he experienced was physical because he initially couched his language in physical terms:

…fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler,
and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
(V2-3)

The battle was also spiritual because his adversaries were wicked in their intent and they had designs upon David’s soul as well as his life.

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul:
(V4)

They were deceitful and hypocritical, pretending to be friendly yet planning the demise of the Lord’s servant.

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit,
which without cause they have digged for my soul.
(V7)

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not;
they did tear me, and ceased not:
(V14-15)

Ultimately the strength of enemy was greater than David’s response.

All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee,
which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him,
yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
(V10)

Our burdens like David’s often catch us unawares, they render us weak and helpless leaving us to wonder how we could ever face the situation alone. Beneath the obvious physicality of the struggle there remains that spiritual conflict as Satan uses problem to weaken our walk with God and to even cause us to question our place within His family. All of this is emotionally, mentally and spiritually draining as we face the conflicts of life.

THE PRAYER

Ultimately this Psalm is a prayer for divine intervention. It feels very much like David is saying to the Lord; ‘I am alone, out-numbered, out-manoeuvred, my back is against the wall…I need YOU!’ Our troubles are worthwhile if they teach us the value of prayer. Sometimes we must face the difficulty in order that we might seek after God and discover our rest in Him.

David represents himself in this prayer as a defendant in court who is resting upon the representation of the skilled and experienced advocate.

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me:
(V1)

In so doing he pleaded with God that He would look and see and recognise his dire situation; listen to His calls.

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions,
my darling from the lions.
(V17)

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
(V23)

One senses a man in this place who has a very personal and real relationship with God. He pleads, he cries, he holds onto the Lord by faith knowing that He will come to his defence.

Learning to hold onto God with confidence and with patience is the most courageous and indeed, the most effective way of dealing with our burdens. All of the distress and fear becomes channelled into cultivating a relationship with the one who never will abandon us.

THE PRAISE

Amid all of the pain and suffering David praises as he payers. Even though eh answer has not yet arrived he believes in deliverance so fervently that praises God in advance for what He will do.

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
(V18)

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:
yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
(V 27-28)

Those that seek after God will never be defeated and abandoned. We need to to remain on the side of truth and His righteousness, seeking first His Kingdom and holding onto His promises.

Why is prayer profitable?  Why is faith worthwhile?  How is it the the people of God will can face this world with peace and grace?

LORD, who is like unto thee (v10)