In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look on my right hand and see - there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me. (Psalm 142: 4)

We are told that David wrote this psalm while hiding in a cave. He had recently defeated Goliath making him a hero. Fearing the crowd's affection for David, King Saul was hunting David to kill him.

David had done Saul a great favor. He had defeated a strong enemy. But now the hero had become the hunted. David turns to God. At the conclusion of this maskil psalm - perhaps meaning it has a particular instructional value - David sings, "The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me."

Faith does not avoid trouble. Often faith will cause trouble. But faith provides a means by which the trouble may be transcended. In relationship with God - the ground of all being - we are enabled to bring forth the beautiful from the ugly maw of destruction.

Above is Saul Attacking David by Guercino.