The psalm was written when David was running away from his son who was plotting to kill him. This must have been a difficult time for David. His favorite son was trying to kill him. He must have felt betrayed. He must have blamed himself for this. People were taunting him. From a king he is now a fugitive, running for his life.

Through it all, David maintained his trust in God. The psalm is written in an interesting way. The verses at the ends are related and as each verse moves towards the center, each of them are also related. The center verse is the main theme of the psalm.

Verse 2 says that many are telling David that there is no salvation for him in God. They not only say to him, but say it to his soul. They were trying to convince him that God cannot save him. David was losing his trust in the Lord. Yet, the last verse says that salvation belongs to the Lord. He blesses his people. Even if our senses tell us otherwise, our will should force us to believe in the goodness of God.

Verse 3 says that the Lord is a shield about him. The Lord protects David. He is David's glory and pride and God lifts up the head of David. God gives him courage. God gives him confidence. How is this done? Verse 7 says this. David asks God to rise up and save him. His confidence is in God and so he can dare ask God to save him. He knows who he can trust. David knows God is the one who can save him. He knows God is the one who strikes his enemies deals with them.

David cries to the Lord with his voice. In his despair, David calls out to God and immediately, David says, "He answers me out of his holy mountain". David knows that God immediately answers when his people call. David finds courage when God answers. Even if he stands alone against tens of thousands, even when he is surrounded, he will not be afraid.

Verse 5 is the center of the psalm. In the midst of all these, where people seek to kill him, where he is surrounded by his enemies, David can still sleep in peace. He knows that when he wakes up, the Lord will sustain him.