If this Psalm was begotten of circumstances in the life of David while he was at the court of Saul, the chapters to read with it will be 1 Sam. 18-19. The psalmist was in personal danger; his friends counseled him to escape to a place of safety, but this he declined to do, declaring his confidence in the righteous Lord. In verses 1-3 are found the advice of David’s friends, and his estimate of it. He is likened by them to a helpless bird, and bidden to flee to the mountains. They counsel this because his enemies are ready with bow and arrow to shoot him “in a moonless night”. Their question is, when the foundations of the state and of society are overthrown, when law, order, and justice are perverted, “what can the righteous do?” (3). The answer in the minds of these friends is, “nothing”; therefore, flee. But David does not think this way. He angrily rejects this faint-hearted counsel, and declares that his trust is in the Lord (1). Faith will do more for us than flight. Some people are very clever at retreat, and strong on resignation: but these may be but castles of the cowardly. But what is the ground of David’s confidence, and of ours? Verses 4-7 declare it. However well-intended may be the advice of our friends, if it is earthbound and time-limited, as in the case before us, we must reject it. David’s friends look to earth alone, but we need to look toward to Heaven and our Lord and savior.