The third in a row resting on the tune of “Do Not Destroy,” this psalm reflects events described in 1 Samuel 19. David went home after one of Saul’s outbursts that began a more concerted effort to eliminate him. Saul sent soldiers to wait overnight outside the gate of David’s house. This is David’s cry to God for deliverance.
Saul’s court had descended into criminal corruption, men eager and willing to ingratiate themselves to a madman. Saul’s consistently wicked choices opened the door for demonic torment. The depth of depravity and petty self-interest was simply not possible with people who were morally upright, whose hearts were actively engaged with God’s moral character. This explains how Jonathan was excluded from his own father’s counsel as things spiraled out of control for David. Every righteous man was the enemy of Saul, and Saul was the enemy of everyone who clung to the Covenant. If anything, David tends to understate just how bad it was, calling the ambush troops “workers of iniquity” and “bloodthirsty.” These were Saul’s best professional soldiers.
David correctly notes his clear conscience; the sin lies with Saul and his men. Thus, as God arises on behalf of Israel to punish other nations when she is just, so he calls on the Lord to defend him on the same terms. We remind ourselves that there were no friendly dogs in that ancient land; such dogs as hung around Jerusalem were feral, repulsive and quite dangerous. In common chatter, Israelis referred to hostile Gentiles as dogs for their foul religious sexual practices. Even if this was hyperbole, the soldiers lying in wait were no friends of God.
David celebrates his confidence in God, having seen that firm hand of deliverance so often before. The only reason David warranted such a heavy ambush was because God had made him a mighty warrior, and God would not fail him now. Still, David pleads with God not to simply kill them, but to rout them from the field of battle, make them flee in shame so the nation would know and fear God. He wanted them humiliated in the one thing for which they were most arrogant. Let their lives fritter away in sorrow.
The imagery of dogs serves as a refrain. Let them howl in frustration! But the only noise David will make is singing the praises of God. When the morning dawns the ambush will come up empty-handed. So the song ends with David’s celebration that he belongs to Jehovah. He was nothing without God.
