Psalm 55

Discouragement, fellowship and hope
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Text
Explanation
   "Title:  . . .It is not a mere personal hymn, there is teaching in it for us all, and where our Lord shines through David, his personal type, there is a great deep of meaning.  Of David.  The man of many conditions, much tried, and much favoured, persecuted but delivered and exalted, was from experience enabled to write such precious verses in which he sets forth not only the sorrows of common pilgrims, but of the Lord of the way himself. 
  Subject: . . . Altogether it seems to us to relate to that mournful era when the King was betrayed by his trusted counsellor.  The spiritual eye ever and anon sees the Son of David and Judas, and the chief priests appearing and disappearing upon the glowing canvas of the Psalm." (Treasury of David)
 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.>> Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
.2  Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
 3  Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
 4  My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
 5  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
  2 - I mourn in my complaint Literally, "I wander in my concern."
  3 - Oppression From 'aqah or "pressure." It seems that the wicked hate him and accuse him of evil.
  4 - Terrors of death David is not seeing the Lord who is his protector. See ps11603 and ps02304,5.
  5 - Horror From pallasuth. The word is uncommon. Compare jb2106, is2104, ez0718.
 6  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
 7  Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
 8  I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
  6 - Oh that I had wings How the righteous long for the home of peace in heaven. je0902. This is not a call to abandon our responsibilities to those around us. See v16.
  7 - Wilderness An uninhabited place.
 9 ¶ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
 10  Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
.11  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
.12  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
.13  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
  9 - Divide their tongues Apparently confuse their languages or communication. Compare ge1107.
  11 - Wickedness ... depart not ... streets The "street" would be the place where people assembled, a place of business.
  12 - Not an enemy David begins to see an individual as the threat.
  13 - A man mine equal Probably Ahithophel who worked with David then turned against him. See 2sa1512.
.14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
 15  Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell [the grave]: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
  14 - Sweet counsel ... walked We see both personal fellowship and corporate worship. Compare le2304.
  15 - Hell From she'ol, the grave or figurative dwelling place of the dead. Compare v23.
.16 ¶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
.17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
  16 - As for me In comparison to the wicked of the previous verse.
  17 - Pray We must not neglect this. da0610, ps119164.
 18  He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
 19  God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
 20  He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
 21  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
  19 - Abideth of old See de3327, ps09002.
  21 - Words smoother than butter No doubt still writing about Ahithophel, v13. "A native of Giloh, originally one of David's most intimate and valued friends; but upon the defection and rebellion of Absalom, he espoused the cause of that prince, and became one of David's bitterest enemies. Being disappointed that Absalom did not follow his sagacious advice, and foreseeing the issue of the rebellion, he hanged himself, 2Sa 15:12; 17:1-29; Ps 55:12-14.  Ahithophel seems to have been the grandfather of Bathsheba. 2Sa 23:34, compared with 2Sa 11:3." (ATS Dict.)
.22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
.23  But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
  22 - Cast thyself upon the Lord What a beautiful invitation!
  22 - Never ... moved We may expect to be pursued and thrown out of our community, but our confidence in God may, by His grace, remain unshaken.
  23 - Pit of destruction At death the conscious life is destroyed ec0905f, jn1111f
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