May those who are trying to snatch away my life
be totally embarrassed and ashamed.
May those who want to harm me
be turned back and ashamed.
Psalm 40.14 NET.
The psalmists had a strong sense of living their faith in the midst of enemies and persecutors. In Israel, opposition took many forms, including violence. The faithful regarded their enemies as people who resisted God’s will and his anointed ones.
Psalm 40 mixes thanksgiving for past rescues, vv. 1-2, proclamation and encouragement to trust in the Lord, vv. 3-4, 9, and a renewed plea for divine help, vv. 11-15. He wants people to know who this God is and what he is about, v. 5.
In the church of God, the situation is similar to that of Israel in those days. While we pray for the repentance of all people and seek their salvation because of Christ’s mission, it must still be acknowledged that there are those who do everything in their power to thwart the work of Christians and even kill them, all the while thinking they are “offering service to God” John 16.2.
Jesus warned us beforehand. (See Matthew 10, for example.) We should not live in fear or resentment. Like the psalmist, we entrust everything to God’s hands, v. 4. We still will go forward with the Good News.
The Lord’s plan will be fulfilled. His will shall be done. Justice will prevail. So we pray, “O my God, do not delay” v. 17d.
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