The psalm was written by David about a person called Cush - a Benjamite. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and so was Cush. David was probably falsely accused by Cush. Because of this, he was being pursued and hunted. While running away, he sang this psalm.

The first verse spoke to God directly. He asked God for protection and deliverance. He was afraid of his enemies. Obviously, David had done no harm against his enemy. He was so confident of this that he asked God to let his enemies catch up with him.

David then asked God to rise up in justice. He trusted in God to give him justice. David knows that God searches the mind and heart. God knows the deepest part of a person. Only God can bring to an end the wicked and save the righteous. For those who suffer because of the evil intent of others, we speak out against that evil, but we should not plot against them.

David describes God as his shield who protects the upright in heart. The shield is a part of an armor that protects the person holding it from attacks. God protects us from attacks of other people. If people speak evil against us, God will protect us. If people plot evil against us, God will protect us. Their attacks and accusations will do no harm to us, because God will protect us. Even if they spread their lies, God will make sure that their lies wil have no effect on us.

Some people may believe them and plan to harm us. But even these will not hurt us. God will not allow these to hurt us.

People falsely accused Jesus. People put him to death. But in the end, Jesus triumphed over his enemies - he rose from the dead AND conquered death.

Whoever is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. The one who is full of evil and plots against others will reap falsehood. When people falsely accuse us, we leave them to the Lord. When we do not get justice, we leave it to the Lord. When people plot against us, we leave that to the Lord. Those who plot evil will fall into their own trap.

Justice may seem distant. We may not see God's salvation - but this is sure, God's righteousness will prevail. God will move in a way that those who plot evil will fall into their own folly.