A. The Lord knows our limitations

1. We ask the Lord for help to defeat enemies (1-3)

(0-3 Introduction) Of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” 

2. We are tempted to curse enemies (4-8)

(4-8 The curse against the enemies) May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise– may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. 

B. Jesus is the answer for the plea of the poet

1. Jesus also experienced betrayal (11−16)

(11-16 Poet’s hardships) Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked ; they gnashed their teeth at me. 

2. Jesus unmasked our enemies
（Matthew 5:43-48, Romans6:6-10, Ephesians 2:14-16)

 (Matt. 5:43-48) “You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Roma 6:6-10) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin– because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

(Ephesians 2:14-16) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

3. Jesus is the way to the kingdom of God (27,28)

(27,28 The expectation for the Kingdom of God) May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.

Summary

Because Jesus came, we found that he is our Lord and our Savior, and so we became those who can expect the future. It is not that we got stronger by overcoming our weaknesses. Even if we remain weak, it is our strength that we know the one who says to us “I am your salvation”. Though we are living in a different culture and era from the poet, we still are experiencing violence, injustice, unreasonableness, deception and treachery just like the poet. However, what is decisively different is that the Lord taught us the true enemy which is “sin” within us and he set us free from it

For Discussion

1) What is the Lord’s righteousness?
2) Who are your enemies?