In the midst of sickness, David finds himself facing men who have risen against him to usurp the throne, but worst of all, one of these men is David's closest friend. In spite of these circumstances, David focuses on the mercy of God to remind himself of a series of vital truths. In the midst of evil days, God gives mercy to the merciful, He rescues the afflicted from every foe, and He upholds the upright in their integrity, and therefore, He is worthy of praise. Whether or not David's prayer for healing and deliverance will be answered remains to be seen. What the psalmist knows most intimately though is that whether in life or death, he stands before the face of God eternally.