These enemies are not just hostile, but take note, they lie in wait for my life. They attack me with (physical) violence. They are fierce opponents. Then follows a remarkable addition, a reason why he prays to the Lord: they attack him without reason, it is not his fault. It is not because of a sin he did. He says that three times. It can happen that the Lord disciplines his children, his people, because they live a sinful life. But that is not the case here (see the Psalms of innocence,
Psalm 17:1–15 and Psalm 26:1–12). Not that anyone can be without sin, but an innocent person, a righteous person lives close to the Lord, and tries to do his will and obey his laws. This is how the author sees his life with God.
The enemies are coming closer, and they are closing ranks. It sounds bold when the author says, Awake!
as if the Lord has fallen asleep. His prayer is wake up.
Rise to help me. Look at me. My situation is alarming: a strong enemy is closing in on me. Here you can think of Saul, his court officials, and his armies at his disposal.
3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,