תהלים, פרק נ״ה, פסוק ד׳

A hunted man cries out in the face of betrayal, slander, and deep hatred coming from his closest circles. Commentators agree that this captures the period when King David was fleeing from the rebellion of his own son, Absalom. The hostile figures in this struggle are identified as specific historical characters from that time. The primary enemy is seen as Absalom himself [רד״ק, מאירי], or perhaps Shimei ben Gera, who famously cursed and humiliated David [אלשיך]. Alongside the enemy stands the wicked figure, identified as David's traitorous advisor, Ahithophel [רש״י, מאירי, אלשיך], with some also pointing to Doeg the Edomite [רש״י].

David's suffering comes in two parallel forms. First, there is the sheer noise of the attack. His enemies raise their voices [אבן עזרא] and roar [מצודת דוד], shouting words of hatred and deep insults [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They loudly declare their intentions to drive the king away and kill him [רד״ק]. Second, there is a profound sense of pressure and distress [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. This represents the intense physical and mental burden that these wicked individuals force upon him [מלבי״ם].

These pursuers actively bring trouble down upon him [אבן עזרא]. They cast wickedness [ביאור שטיינזלץ] and exhaustion his way [מצודת דוד], surrounding him with lies and false plots [רד״ק, מאירי]. A unique perspective suggests that they are essentially tipping the scales of guilt against him, ruling that he deserves to die and that his blood is permitted [רש״י]. They even justify their rebellion by claiming it is a decree from God, a punishment for David's past sins [אלשיך].

All of this is fueled by intense anger and a deep, lingering hatred [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], even though David did nothing to deserve such treatment [מצודת דוד]. This creates a clear parallel in how the attacks unfold. The loud insults and public humiliation from the enemy directly fuel the deep anger and hatred, while the intense pressure applied by the wicked results in the actual physical damage and false plots cast against him [מלבי״ם].