Back in Psalm 54, King David, the God-anointed king of Israel, was ratted out by strangers — which, you’d expect these types of troubles when in war. Here in Psalm 55, he is betrayed by a friend. Just like Jesus was centuries later. Let’s dig in…
Psalm 55
For the choir director: A psalm (maskil) of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God.
Do not ignore my cry for help!
2 Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3 My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.4 My heart pounds in my chest.
The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
7 I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude (Selah – pause and reflect)
8 How quickly I would escape—
far from this wild storm of hatred.9 Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,
but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11 Everything is falling apart;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.15 Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave (Sheol) swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.16 But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19 God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them. Interlude (Selah – pause and reflect)
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.23 But you, O God, will send the wicked
Psalm 55 NLT
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
The Story of King David’s Troubles
King David’s son Absalom rebelled against him. We find that story in 2 Samuel 15. Absalom stole his crown, his city, his many wives, and his counselors. Like any human, his first thought in panic was to flee. Similarly, we humans want to do the same thing — get away from our troubles.
David’s “friend” was Ahithophel, Bathsheba’s grandfather. Yes, that Bathsheba. That infamous story is in 2 Samuel 11-12. Ahithophel couldn’t let go of the bitterness he felt towards David. Thus, he became a betrayer, an enemy. Needless to say, David was crushed.
Yet, no matter what, David trusted God saying that he will call upon the Lord. He trusted in His Salvation.
Give Your Troubles to the Lord
In verse 22, David gives us the best advice.
Give your burdens to the Lord,
Psalm 55:22 NLT
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
In conclusion, David affirms what we know from reading the Book of Revelation…
But you, O God, will send the wicked
Psalm 55:23 NLT
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
We, too, can stand on this affirmation. Are YOU trusting God to save you? I certainly hope you’re NOT trusting in a church, a dead saint, the pope, or some icons to save you. Only Jesus Saves!
Where’s the Gospel in this Psalm?
As always, I turn to the good folks at Spoken Gospel for insight…
Jesus knew David’s situation all too well. He also spoke of Jerusalem as a place of violence; a city that kills its prophets and persecutes innocent people (Matthew 23:37). Jesus’ friends either left him, denied him, or betrayed him (Matthew 26:48-49, 56, 69-74). The threats of his enemies pelted him with pain and their flogging and nails reduced his body to a trembling heap.
The violence of enemies and the betrayal of his friends put an end to him. He suffered all that sinful humanity could throw at him. And he let himself be crushed by the wickedness of his city. David’s fear of death became true in Jesus. But David’s hope for safety also came true in Jesus.
Jesus endured the brutality of enemies and the betrayal of friends so that he could build a new Jerusalem. A city that people do not flee from, but flock to — a place where victims of violence find safety and victims of anxiety find peace (Revelation 21:26-27). In Jesus, the innocent are no longer collateral damage in the wars of the wicked but the citizens of the Kingdom that will end all wars. And like David, we can pray for an end to evil and know that God will preserve us forever in the city that he will build.
Spoken Gospel
That is our confident Hope!
How to Pray Psalm 22
God loves it when you pray His Words back to Him. Consequently, He knows that you truly want a personal relationship with Him. Take a piece of paper or a journal and write something like this…
Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
The world is shouting at me — making loud and wicked threats and insults. Troubles seem to follow me wherever I go.
My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
I want to fly away and rest — to get away from it all.
Lord, confuse them and frustrate their plans. (I pray this about the enemies our nation faces.)
I call on God, and You, Lord, will rescue me. I cry out morning, noon and night and You hear my voice.
Our enemies refuse to change their ways. They do not fear God.
However, I know that in the end You will humble them and thrust them into the pit of destruction.
I give all my troubles to You, Lord. I am trusting You to save me. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Paraphrase on Psalm 55 by Giselle Aguiar
Peter gives us similar advice…
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:6-8 NLT
Who Do YOU Trust When You Have Troubles?
When you surrender your life to Jesus and open your heart to receive Him, you get an overwhelming feeling of peace, joy, and hope that no human can ever give you.
Isn’t it about time you let Him in?