Psalms 27:2

They stumbled and fell.

God’s preservation of David in extreme danger

I. the state and condition of David’s enemies, They are wicked men. The reason whereof is the enmity put by God Himself between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), which David found (Psalms 38:19; John 15:15; John 16:33). Uses--

1. For instruction. The godly must expect bitter opposition and enmity from the wicked (Matthew 10:16).

2. For admonition.

(1) To the wicked: that they consider their state in God’s sight, when they are so spitefully bent against the godly.

(2) To the godly: to be both wise as serpents and harmless as doves, and to beware of men.

3. For comfort to the godly, that their adversaries are wicked men, for they may hereon rest assured that God will not join with their enemies unless it be for trial of grace, as in Job, or for the sins of the godly, in forsaking Him.

II. the purpose and attempt of David’s enemies against him. They came upon him to eat up his flesh; that is, utterly to destroy him.

1. Because of his religion and piety, with which their corruption could admit no accord (Psalms 38:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 3:12).

2. Because of the honour and dignity whereto God had advanced him (Psalms 4:2; Psalms 62:4). Uses--

1. For instruction.

(1) To discover the exceeding measure of corruption that is in natural men, and thereupon their fearful state in soul to Godward (Psalms 53:1; Psalms 53:3; Psalms 83:4; Acts 22:22).

(2) To manifest that there is a special providence of God over His Church and children, that preserves and keeps them, notwithstanding all the spite and rage of the wicked against them (Psalms 105:12).

2. For admonition.

(1) To the wicked, to consider of their corrupt affection, in spite and hatred against the godly, whence it comes, that so they may discern their fearful state in soul, and labour to alter it.

(2) To the godly, often to bethink themselves what their religion may bring upon them from the wicked; that so they may get the sure shelter from it, viz. to have God for them.

III. the issue and success of the cruel attempt of David’s enemies against him.

1. They did not only fail of their purpose against David, but even themselves stumbled and fell.

2. The reason or cause hereof was in God, who for just causes stood for David, and set Himself against David’s enemies.

(1) He found him out, and chose him to do Him service, in that place and state wherein he was so mightily opposed by his enemies (Psalms 89:20).

(2) David trusted in God, and so was holpen (Psalms 60:1).

(3) David prayed unto the Lord, and so was preserved (Psalms 56:9; Psalms 34:4).

(4) David made conscience of sin, and walked in obedience (Psalms 18:21; Psalms 18:24).

(5) God would not be with his enemies, because they were not called of God, nor sent by Him against David; they were wicked men, workers of iniquity; they did neither regard God’s word nor God’s works; they trusted in their own might and outward means.

Uses--

1. For instruction.

(1) See what a great blessing and privilege it is to stand rightly in covenant with God; whereby He becometh light or salvation to a man or to a people, and the strength of their life.

(2) See the misery of those that be out of covenant with God, for the Lord’s power is ever against them.

2. For admonition: to give all diligence to be truly in covenant with God, that so it may be with us as it was with David.

3. For comfort to the godly, fighting the Lord’s battles, and yet overmatched. (T. Pierson.)