Once again Israel’s enemies jointly intend to overcome it, and once again the psalmist turns to the Lord with a plea for help. Before us is another entreaty for heavenly protection, and we are not surprised by the request for victory over the enemies.
But alongside the wish that troubles befall the enemies, we notice a new note in the attitude toward them. The psalmist wishes them not merely defeat and calamity, but that the enemies, filled with disgrace—that is, deprived of the position that enables them to exalt themselves—may seek the Name of the Lord. The psalmist already knows that it is often precisely those whose pride has been crushed who become able to hear Him, and now he wishes the same for the enemies.
Here before us is one of the early manifestations of that love for enemies which prevents us from seeing in them only those whom we want to punish and destroy. Asaph wishes to share what is most precious, hope in the Lord, precisely with those who have risen against the Lord and His people.
