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The contents of this psalm may be summed up as the struggle and the victory of faith.

I. THE STRUGGLE OF FAITH. He is in great fear and danger on account of the plots and wickedness of his enemies. They fight against him with the most dangerous weapons they can command. He does not seek to defend himself with counter plots such as they employed. What are his weapons? The one mighty weapon of trust in God.

1. In the merciful protection of the Almighty One. (Ver. 1.) In the power of God as contrasted with the weakness of man.

2. In the word of God's eternal promise. "When I am encompassed with fear, then do I trust and praise his faithful word" (vers. 3 and 4).

3. In God's retributive justice. (Ver. 7.) That he will overturn and punish all evil doers.

4. In the tenderness and strength of the Divine sympathy. God counts his sighs, put his tears in his bottle, and records them in his book of remembrance.

II. THE VICTORY OF FAITH. (Vers. 9-13.)

1. And will put his enemies to flight when he calls upon him. (Ver. 9.) Of this he is triumphantly assured, even against all present appearances.

2. He knows that God is on his side. (Ver. 9.) God always on the side of the righteous, to protect them from all real harm. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

3. He sees his salvation as an already accomplished fact. (Ver. 13.) Faith sees the future in the present, and the distant in the near (Hebrews 11:1).

4. He is thus filled with the spirit of praise and fidelity. (Ver. 12.) Will perform his vows and render thanks. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith." - S.

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KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.} Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

WEB: Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.