implicitly on the promise that God would take care of the Davidic theocracy forever (see 2 Sam 7:12–16). Those who “devour my flesh” are actually the slanderers of David’s name (see the RSV). He calls his foes “false witnesses” who breathe out violence (vs. 12). Slander belongs to the most insidious evils one can ever face. Its nature is demonic. Jesus said of Satan, “He is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). David’s faith in God only grew stronger in adversity: Though an army beseige me,