David understood and rejoiced in this victory when he was hunted like a partridge on the mountains. At one time he was hiding in a cave in the wilderness of Ziph, and the Ziphites came to Saul and treacherously revealed his hiding-place, and said, “Now, therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.” 31 Samuel 23:15-20. Yet David, knowing all this, took his harp and composed a psalm of praise, saying, “I will freely sacrifice unto Thee; I will praise Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For He hath delivered me out of all trouble.” 1Psalm 54:6, 7. Read the entire Psalm, including the introduction. So he could sing, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” 2Psalm 27:3. EVCO 416.3
The third Psalm, with its expressions of confident trust in God, and its note of victory, was composed while he was exiled from his throne, fleeing before Absalom. EVCO 417.1
We need so to learn the twenty-third Psalm, that it will not be mere empty words when we say, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” EVCO 417.2