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Protect my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret discussion of evildoers (Psalm 64:1b-2a, NASB).
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel the prophet anoints the shepherd boy David as king of Israel. David is fifteen years old. In 2 Samuel 5, the elders of Israel came together to proclaim David as King of Israel when he was thirty years old.
That’s fifteen years between Samuel’s anointing of David and the elders’ proclamation.
During the interim, King Saul was still king and hated the youthful David. This set up David with a fifteen-year run-and-hide situation from Saul. While avoiding Saul, a young David made mistakes, like hiding amidst the enemies of Israel — then most of Israel followed King Saul’s example and hated David.
David’s enemies tried to kill him with literal swords and arrows, along with attempting assassination by their words. As Psalm 64 describes. . .
. . . who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrows (v. 3).
We discern from reading Psalm 64 that it’s the “Slander Psalm,” describing how gossip, rumormongering, and lies weave their web. This Psalm also teaches our best defense.
How slander works:
Secret meetings. . .
Hide me from the secret discussion of evildoers, from the restlessness of the workers of injustice (v. 2).
Have you ever attended a meeting and sensed a set-up? Like the entire room has already agreed —in your absence and without your input — your character, attitude, and future?
Friends are involved. . .
To shoot from concealment at the innocent; suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear (v. 4).
Have you experienced close friends and associates turning against you and then finding out that they had been approached by your adversaries? Have you felt overwhelmed by the verbal assaults and wondered how those you trusted could turn against you?
Slander can be insidious. . .
They make firm for themselves an evil purpose; they talk of setting snares secretly; They say, “Who can see them?” They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot” (vv. 5-6).
Rumors and gossip, rooted in truth, can entice almost anyone into joining the plot against you. Slander is an expert in laying difficult-to-discern “snares.” Conspiracy works through clever manipulation.
For the inward thought and the heart of a person are deep (v. 6b).
Our defense against slander:
It’s best to do nothing at all in response to slander. Let God be your defense. . .
But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Their own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn (vv. 7-8, NLT).
The “God defense” serves two purposes: first, the verbal attacks can be true (or at least partially true), and we should learn from our enemies; and second, God is merciful and slow to judgment with both friend and foe!
I love the ending of the “Slander Psalm”. . .
The righteous person will be glad in the Lord and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart will boast (v. 10, NASB).
Amen. Peace out!