Mercy in a City Under Siege

Psalm 31

Again, David uses incredible imagery to describe both the desperation of his situation and his complete dependance on the Lord. The psalm indicates that the wicked are enjoying a time of prosperity and the righteous are suffering. In this situation, it would be easy to lose heart and faith but David reminds himself and his audience that their hope and trust are completely in the Lord and that the Lord is faithful and trustworthy.
I am reading Eli Wiesel's "Night" right now and some of the situations David describes reminds me of the situation in Germany. It was a death sentence to associate with a Jew and so even their friends mostly abandoned them and did not speak up in their defence, sometimes even denying, in word and attitude and action, that they ever even knew their Jewish neighbours. David is experiencing similar rejection: because of the oppression of his enemies, his friends no longer acknowledge his presence, as if he is dead. The people who see him on the streets turn away from him. To acknowledge him is to be tainted by the death that hangs over him.
How can David remain faithful and hopeful in such a dire situation? I think it is because of his past experiences of God's saving mercy. He remembers the mercy and love he experienced in a city under siege. He remembers the saving power of the Lord in his own history as well as the history of the people and he trusts that God will rescue him again. So, be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord!
This certainly speak of the massive faith that David had but more than that, it speaks about the faithfulness of the Lord. David can only trust in the Lord if the Lord is in control. If he is not, then there is reason to despair for then the fight is not decided and evil may prevail. The Lord must also be good. If he is not, then there is reason for despair for he may be the source of the pain and suffering without any reason. Finally, the Lord must be love. If he is not, then he may be simply using David, his people and you and I in a chess match that he will win and which will be good but not necessarily for us. If he is not, then the ends justify the means. What I see in Scripture is that not only will the Lord accomplish a good end but he will do it by a good means. When I recognize this, I can say with David, "Praise be to the Lord!"