Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
The prayer is a request for the Lord himself to take up the speaker's cause against those who oppose and oppress him and to fight on his behalf against those who fight him. It is grounded in the speaker's own frailty set against the strength of his enemies. It is an appeal to uphold divine justice, not an expression of personal revenge or a vengeful disposition.
In its setting in the psalm, the cry prophetically enters into Christ's inner experience. Read in that light, it helps reveal his life-and-death struggles with the enemy and his suffering when tempted. One opposed by bitter foes may therefore entrust defense and vindication to God and go on with His work cheerfully and fearlessly. Taking the cause into one's own hands in self-defense instead leaves one in darkness.
Against enemies who attack with spite and vain words, the prayer models placing trust and care in God rather than seeking vengeance. It joins that trust with asking God to forgive the persecutors and to open their hearts to what is right. The plea carries assurance that God's angel will prevail in overcoming opposition. Its outcome is receiving life by claiming the salvation made possible through Christ's suffering and death.
The prayer is a request for the Lord himself to take up the speaker's cause against those who oppose and oppress him and to fight on his behalf against those who fight him. It is grounded in the speaker's own frailty set against the strength of his enemies. It is an appeal to uphold divine justice, not an expression of personal revenge or a vengeful disposition.
In its setting in the psalm, the cry prophetically enters into Christ's inner experience. Read in that light, it helps reveal his life-and-death struggles with the enemy and his suffering when tempted. One opposed by bitter foes may therefore entrust defense and vindication to God and go on with His work cheerfully and fearlessly. Taking the cause into one's own hands in self-defense instead leaves one in darkness.
Against enemies who attack with spite and vain words, the prayer models placing trust and care in God rather than seeking vengeance. It joins that trust with asking God to forgive the persecutors and to open their hearts to what is right. The plea carries assurance that God's angel will prevail in overcoming opposition. Its outcome is receiving life by claiming the salvation made possible through Christ's suffering and death.