“Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.” vs1-2

Christ has gone through everything that we go through [vs2]. He was in all points tempted, yet without sin. There is no dungeon of despair, no suffering, that you’ve ever endured, where you can say, “No one understands me.”

No, He was betrayed and tormented. He was hated by those who should have been His friends. He walked the path when there were none to comfort Him, not even God, because He was alone to bear our sins.

Secondly, give yourself to prayer when enemies rise up [vs4]. “In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.” You have a refuge in God!

What does it matter that they are against you, if you have Him? We can boldly say, “I don’t care what man does to me. I’ve got access into God’s grace, a secret hiding place, where I can rest. My soul is comforted by God the Savior the more than man opposes me.”

Let me ask: Can they persecute you unjustly and fellowship with Him? Can they envy and move in slander, when you are innocent, and God not uphold your cause? If you obey your Master, will He forsake you, simply because man opposes you? Impossible! Our friends may be deceived by slander but never God. Our enemies warm themselves on a fire of back talk, but God will show you His face. Never envy the evil doer: his access to God and the joy that he could have is cut off [1 Pet 3:12].

Thirdly, Christ does have prayers against His enemies [vs6-10]. He’s not opposing God in His justice.

Set over him a wicked man;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

When he is tried, let him be found guilty,

and may his prayer be regarded as sin.

May his days be few;

may another take his position.

May his children be fatherless

and his wife a widow.

May his children wander as beggars,

seeking sustenance far from their ruined homes.

When Judas transgressed, Peter quoted this Psalm to show his place in hell, under God’s wrath, and his ministry being given to another [Acts 1:20]. Christ is in full agreement with the destruction of His foes, and it is called, “The wrath of the Lamb [Rev 6:16].”

Do not look at Jesus as one sided! He told Judas, “It would have been good for that man if he had not been born,” and, “What you do, do quickly [Matt 26:24; John 13:27].” He had to be betrayed, and the turncoat must suffer his punishment.

If you do not believe the gospel, then YOU will be in the same hell as Judas!

Fourthly, it is a horrible thing to know the hell upon the wicked [vs17]! “As he loved cursing, so let it come to him. As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him.”

They have forsaken the good way and provoked the wrath of God. They despise mercy though it is preached.

Dear reader, you cannot be neutral in the matter! You are all out for Christ or against Him. There’s no middle ground, like Pilate tried to take. You cannot wash your hands in innocence! You can bow and be saved, obtaining mercy, or you can perish forever. He does not hold them guiltless who refuse to repent! A kiss of betrayal is death to the one who gives it!

Finally, they wagged their heads at Him and mocked the Son of Man, but He will have the last laugh [vs25.] “I also have become a reproach to them. When they look at me, they shake their heads.”

God’s highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name. He will come back with flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.

Do not be afraid, Oh disciples, your hour of shining is speedily approaching. Then the world will see who is wise and who is unwise. Then, God’s people will shine forth as the sun!