For strangers are risen up against me
Meaning such as Doeg the Edomite, or Heathen soldiers, that Saul
had hired and took into his army, who were aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel; and such as these rose up against David's
antitype, the Messiah, ( Psalms 2:1 Psalms 2:2 ) ( Acts 4:27 ) . Or rather
the Ziphims, who were of his own nation, yea, of his own tribe,
yet used him as barbarously as the very Heathens would have done,
or worse; and who, though notwithstanding they were of Israel,
might not be Israelites indeed, but strangers to an inward
experience of divine and spiritual things: for men may be
professors of religion, and yet be strangers to God in Christ, to
Christ himself, and the way of salvation by him, and communion
with him; to the Spirit of God, and the operations of his grace
on the heart; to themselves, their own hearts, and their state
and condition by nature; to the Gospel of Christ, and to the
people of God; and these are sometimes the most violent
persecutors of good and spiritual men;
and oppressors seek after my soul;
or "life" F9, to take it away; as did Saul and
his army; who are "the mighty" or "strong ones" F11, as
the word here used signifies; see ( 1 Samuel
24:11 ) ; and as the Jewish sanhedrim, Scribes and Pharisees,
sought after the soul or life of Christ, to take that away, as
they did;
they have not set God before them.
They did not consider themselves as under the omniscient eye of
God; they did not set his word before them, as the rule of their
conduct, but cast it behind their backs; nor did they regard his
providential mercies and layouts as a motive to engage them to
obedience to him, but despised them; they had not the fear of God
before their eyes, nor in their hearts, nor any concern for his
glory; and therefore did the wicked things they did against his
servant.
Selah; on this word, (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).