This psalm is similar to Psalm 34; it deals with the time when Saul wanted to kill David. This psalm was David’s prayer early in the situation whereas Psalm 34 is David’s praise to God for answering this prayer.
Here David prays to God for protection from his enemies, those who were loyal to Saul. David at this time didn’t know if he could trust anyone, he wasn’t sure he could trust the priest, and there is no telling how many good people David avoided at this time because of his fear.
David pled with God to protect him as God had protected him in all his previous experiences with danger. Instead of asking God to allow him to take revenge, he asked God to solve the problem according to His will. He asked God to cause “the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them” (verse 5). There are many instances in history when God intervened as people prayed to Him.
Why shouldn’t I take revenge when people do or try to harm me? Yes, like David, we have the right to defend ourselves, family, and others when the threat of physical danger is immediate, but, when the threat is not immediate, we must trust God to handle the situation because He alone can see the intent of people and knows how to administer justice perfectly.