Have you ever felt that people were conspiring to do you harm? This happens all the time to people in positions of leadership and sometimes it happens just because someone has to gossip. The criticism may be justified, something said or done was misinterpreted, or it was made up. Whatever the circumstances, we all feel angry or betrayed; it has a negative impact on our emotions.
David wrote about his experience with this in Psalm 56. Perhaps it was because people expected him to handle all of their complaints; after all, he was king and should be able to set things right. David’s son Absalom would sit outside the city gate and talk with people who wanted to see the king; he would ask people what their problems were as though he was really concerned and then say that, if he were king, his decision would be in their favor. David explained what was happening in the following verses: 1-2, 5-6.
We have heard many times on the news of individuals entering their workplace or other business and begin shooting people in revenge. David understood the difference in God’s law between killing in battle and killing out of revenge. He believed that God would fight these battles for him and take care of his enemies (verses 3-4 & 7-13). See how David prays in faith and offers praise to God.