Psalm 55

November 18, 2018

This is the last in our cluster of psalms the give us a picture of Anti-Christ. The setting for this psalm is probably when Absalom (David's Son) led a revolt against David. Also at this time David's trusted adviser, Ahithophel, joined the revolt !  As with the other psalms in this little cluster, it is broken into three parts : 1) Prayer of distress, 2) of justice, and of assurance in deliverance by God.

The first three verses make you think of finger nails on a chalk board !  David is begging God to hear him and do not ignore him ! David explains that his enemies are after him and he fears for his life. The begining of verse four is a key to the historical placement of this psalm. It starts out, " My heart is severely pained within me," Why else would his heart be pained other than to know his son , along with his trusted adviser, is trying to kill him !  Verse seven shows that David was not longing for a fight. Which was odd because he was a warrior. "Indeed, I would wander off, and remain in the wilderness." This only makes sense in the context that he did not want to fight and kill his son !

Verse nine is the begining of the second part of the psalm as it starts the asking for justice from God on David's enemies. "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues." Verse 13 shows the distress David was under , " But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance." His heart was breaking because of their betrayal. During the tribulation all will appear to be good between anti-Christ and Israel. Israel will be betrayed and the rest of the world will begin to turn against Israel because of anti-Christ ! From verse nine through fifteen David is asking for justice in detail !!  "Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell." (verse 15) .

Begining with verse 16 and through verse 23 David is now praying and thanking God for His help. This shows great faith on David's part. God has not acted yet, yet David is praying as though God has already taken care of it. This is a great example of that quaint saying,"Pray , believe, expect to receive."  Verse sixteen starts out, " As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me."  For those of us that are Christian this is a lesson few ever learn. If you do learn and practice it, it can be very scary !  So much so that you will find yourself giving the person over to God and praying for mercy on them at the same time !!  God's justice is always much more than we can ever imagine. So, always turn all problems over to God ( The entire problem not just part of it) and pray for mercy for all those involved.  Verse 22 confirms this when it says, " Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."