תהלים, פרק י״ח, פסוק ה׳

King David often found himself in moments of extreme danger, distress, and total helplessness. In these desperate situations, evils seemed to close in from all sides, pushing him to cry out in heartfelt prayer to God [מלבי״ם]. The sensation is one of being completely surrounded, with every possible escape route blocked off [רוב הפרשנים].

The deep agony David experienced is compared to the sharp, overwhelming pain of labor, reflecting severe troubles that pushed him to the very brink of death [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מאירי, מצודת ציון]. Others view this impending doom through different imagery, picturing entire camps of enemies encircling him [רש״י], or visualizing literal ropes binding him tightly and dragging him toward his end [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This suffocating pressure is further compared to the unstoppable force of rushing water. The primary approach among commentators is that enemies and troubles poured down on David with uncontrollable speed and power, much like a raging river. Alternatively, this overwhelming flood represents severe sickness and crushing blows [רד״ק, מאירי, מצודת ציון]. The attackers driving this assault are wicked individuals who have completely cast off any sense of heavenly authority [מצודת ציון]. In the face of these terrifying enemies who filled him with dread [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], David also held onto a silent prayer that his foes would fail to rise and would ultimately suffer defeat [אבן עזרא].

Ultimately, these images paint a picture of a war fought on two distinct fronts. On a practical level, David stood entirely helpless, caught between the immediate threat of death on one side and a violent flood of enemies on the other [מלבי״ם]. Yet, on a deeper level, this was also a profound spiritual battle. During the period when he was hunted by King Saul, David faced the constant physical threat of losing his life. At the exact same time, he was under intense attack from his own internal temptations, which rushed at him like a destructive river. This inner force tried to use fear to convince him to strike first and kill Saul, an act that would have ultimately destroyed David's spiritual world [אלשיך].