תהלים, פרק נ״ד, פסוק ט׳

David expresses deep gratitude to God for a twofold kindness [מצודת דוד]. First, he gives thanks for being rescued from the harm his enemies actively plotted against him. God intervened and saved him from the terrible things they planned to do.

Beyond the immediate rescue, David also reflects on the fate of those who pursued him. The primary approach among commentators is that David is granted the ability to witness the downfall of his enemies [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He looks upon them and sees the exact outcome he had hoped and wished for [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

However, a different perspective suggests that true and complete salvation is defined by the fact that the enemies are not killed at all. In this view, David looks at his adversaries at the moment of his rescue and sees them alive and standing right in front of him, yet entirely powerless to cause him any harm. His gratitude stems from the fact that God protected him without him having to strike back or punish his pursuers himself. A clear example of this is when King Saul chased David, and David was saved without needing to harm the king [אלשיך].