You turned the backs of my enemies toward me, and I destroyed those who hate me.
Turning the enemy’s back toward David is an image of flight and defeat. David speaks about the victories by which his kingdom was established against hostile powers. Again, the historical boundary must be kept, and this word must not be applied to personal revenge. The followers of Jesus Christ are called to love their enemies and to overcome evil with goodness. The psalm shows us that God can completely reverse the situation: the one being pursued can be set free, and the attacker can flee. This is comfort for those who think that the present balance of power is eternal. The Lord can change it. With a spiritual application, the believer can pray that the rule of sin and evil would be defeated in his life, and also in the community. Yet that victory must never be turned into hatred toward people. God’s victory serves justice.