“Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.” -Psalm 38:12–14
In the presence of his enemies and in response to their threats and chiding, David remains silent. What else can he do? He has no grounds on which to defend himself because he is guilty as charged. Yet, in one sense this is also an act of faith. Having confessed his sins to God, so it appears, he leaves the consequences in his hands. He chooses to not to listen to their verbal assaults and remains mute before his accusers.
There is a sense in which David is a deficient type of Christ, who also remained silent in the presence of his accusers. Though not guilty of his own sins, Jesus took upon himself the guilt of ours; and, as a sheep to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth. It is fitting that Peter reminds us to do the same revealing the relevance of such a passage in our own lives:
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” -1 Peter 2:18–25