Psalm 55

Listen to my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore my plea;
    hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
    because of what my enemy is saying,
    because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
    and assail me in their anger.
My heart is in anguish within me;
    the terrors of death have fallen on me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
    horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
    I would fly away and be at rest.
I would flee far away
    and stay in the desert;
I would hurry to my place of shelter,
    far from the tempest and storm.”
Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
    for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.
Destructive forces are at work in the city;
    threats and lies never leave its streets.
If an enemy were insulting me,
    I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
    I could hide.
But it is you, a man like myself,
    my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
    at the house of God,
as we walked about
    among the worshipers.
Let death take my enemies by surprise;
    let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,
    for evil finds lodging among them.
As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice.
He rescues me unharmed
    from the battle waged against me,
    even though many oppose me.
God, who is enthroned from of old,
    who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
    because they have no fear of God.
My companion attacks his friends;
    he violates his covenant.
His talk is smooth as butter,
    yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,
    yet they are drawn swords.
Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
    will not live out half their days.
But as for me, I trust in you.

• Psalm 55:1-23

Type of Psalm

Psalms of Affliction: Psalms where the psalmist is crying out in pain or distress, asking God where He is in the psalmist’s time of need.  But no matter how dire the circumstances or how long the lament, there seems to always be a word of praise.  Otherwise, why do we go to God in such times, other than to recognize Him as the only one who can help us?

Imprecatory psalms: Asking for vengeance against enemies.  From the two examples above, these requests for vengeance are usually not specific in how God does it.  I have written about this type of psalm or prayer in that they are legitimate requests to God.  We know that God will eventually stamp out all evil in the world.  Praying that God would do as He promises that He will eventually do is legitimate, but when a face is applied to that evil, our first reaction should be one of forgiveness and mercy.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“It is the conjecture of many expositors that David penned this psalm upon occasion of Absalom’s rebellion, and that the particular enemy he here speaks of, that dealt treacherously with him, was Ahithophel; and some will therefore make David’s troubles here typical of Christ’s sufferings, and Ahithophel’s treachery a figure of Judas’s, because they both hanged themselves. But there is nothing in it particularly applied to Christ in the New Testament. David was in great distress when he penned this psalm. I. He prays that God would manifest his favour to him, and pleads his own sorrow and fear, ver. 1-8. II. He prays that God would manifest his displeasure against his enemies, and pleads their great wickedness and treachery, ver. 9-15, 20, 21. III. He assures himself that God would, in due time, appear for him against his enemies, comforts himself with the hopes of it, and encourages others to trust in God, ver. 16-19, 22, 23. In singing this psalm we may, if there be occasion, apply it to our own troubles; if not, we may sympathize with those to whose case it comes nearer, foreseeing that there will be, at last, indignation and wrath to the persecutors, salvation and joy to the persecuted.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 55:9 Divide their tongues “Perhaps this is an allusion to the Tower of Babel, where God destroyed the force of the movement against Him by multiplying languages (cf. Gen. 11:5–9).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

My Thoughts

David’s enemies are saying bad things about him.  He is concerned.  While it may hurt the feelings of an ordinary man, a man in power can be weakened by carefully placed lies.

David wishes that he could simply soar away and not have to endure the attacks.

Yet, as the attack persists, David suggests that their tongue be confused.  This is a repeat, at least a request for a repeat, of what happened at Babel, but it also confuses the tongues so the bad words said about David would not be understood.  Thus, there are two layers to this mild imprecatory verse.

David could deal with a neighbor who was doing this, but this enemy is from within, someone who dresses the same and walks down the same streets.

David again makes an imprecatory plea for his enemies to die.

But as usual in this type of psalm, David praises God.  He has faith that God will rescue him.  In verse 19, it states that God never changes.  David will cast all cares onto God.

I trust in You, Lord.

Psalm 56

Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
    all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
All day long they twist my words;
    all their schemes are for my ruin.
They conspire, they lurk,
    they watch my steps,
    hoping to take my life.
Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
    in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
Record my misery;
    list my tears on your scroll—
    are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will turn back
    when I call for help.
    By this I will know that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me?
I am under vows to you, my God;
    I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death
    and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

• Psalm 56:1-13

Type of Psalm

Psalms of Affliction: Psalms where the psalmist is crying out in pain or distress, asking God where He is in the psalmist’s time of need.  But no matter how dire the circumstances or how long the lament, there seems to always be a word of praise.  Otherwise, why do we go to God in such times, other than to recognize Him as the only one who can help us?

Imprecatory psalms: Asking for vengeance against enemies.  From the two examples above, these requests for vengeance are usually not specific in how God does it.  I have written about this type of psalm or prayer in that they are legitimate requests to God.  We know that God will eventually stamp out all evil in the world.  Praying that God would do as He promises that He will eventually do is legitimate, but when a face is applied to that evil, our first reaction should be one of forgiveness and mercy.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“It seems by this, and many other psalms, that even in times of the greatest trouble and distress David never hung his harp upon the willow-trees, never unstrung it or laid it by; but that when his dangers and fears were greatest he was still in tune for singing God’s praises. He was in imminent peril when he penned this psalm, at least when he meditated it; yet even then his meditation of God was sweet. I. He complains of the malice of his enemies, and begs mercy for himself and justice against them, ver. 1, 2, 5-7. II. He confides in God, being assured that he took his part, comforting himself with this, that therefore he was safe and should be victorious, and that while he lived he should praise God, ver. 3, 4, 8-13. How pleasantly may a good Christian, in singing this psalm, rejoice in God, and praise him for what he will do, as well as for what he has done.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 56:8 : ”When no one else notices, mark it down, God notices. When no one else remembers, God records. The psalmist tells us that He even keeps our tears in a bottle. He will reward us for acts that are done in His name. So be encouraged. There will come a day when rewards will come your way as they should, perhaps not on this earth, … but someday.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

My Thoughts

Again, there are enemies that are attacking.  One line is repeated several times.  In God I trust.  Change the pronoun to “we” and you get a statement found on all USA currency.  That may not be the case with the average person in the USA, but at least the government has not ordered those words removed.

It seems that his enemies are lurking in the shadows, but then he asks what a mere mortal can do to him.  He has faith in this time of trouble.  He praises God and he trusts God.

The imprecatory verse is that his wicked enemies will be destroyed as a nation.  God may use a wicked nation to punish his people, but God will destroy that wicked nation in due time.

The focus here is keeping his feet from stumbling, trusting God, and praising God.

Psalm 57

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions;
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.
They spread a net for my feet—
    I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

• Psalm 57:1-11

Type of Psalm

Psalms of Affliction: Psalms where the psalmist is crying out in pain or distress, asking God where He is in the psalmist’s time of need.  But no matter how dire the circumstances or how long the lament, there seems to always be a word of praise.  Otherwise, why do we go to God in such times, other than to recognize Him as the only one who can help us?

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“This psalm is very much like that which goes next before it; it was penned upon a like occasion, when David was both in danger of trouble and in temptation to sin; it begins as that did, ‘Be merciful to me;’ the method also is the same. I. He begins with prayer and complaint, yet not without some assurance of speeding in his request, ver. 1-6. II. He concludes with joy and praise, ver. 7-11. So that hence we may take direction and encouragement, both in our supplications and in our thanksgivings, and may offer both to God, in singing this psalm.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 57:7 “Jesus Christ stands at the door. He holds out His hands that are scarred. His feet are pierced, and He bears in His body the marks of death. He says, ‘I know the pressure you are under. I understand the strain. I know the unfair abuse. But let me offer you some encouragement. Don’t be afraid. Look at life through My eyes! Stop letting life intimidate you! Stop running scared. Trust Me!’”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

My Thoughts

Here David starts with two statements that seem to be in contradiction to each other.  David first asks for mercy, indicating that he might have done wrong.  Then he asks God to vindicate him.  Thus, David covers both ends.  This is a good lesson for us in our prayers.  We need to confess our sins.  We need to ask for mercy, but once mercy is granted, our slate is washed as white as snow.  Then, we ask God to vindicate us.  We are now seen as blameless and if it is within God’s will, He will lift us up, above our present turmoil.

But our enemies are like lions, like fierce beasts.  This is similar to the lurking enemies in the previous psalm but using a wild animal metaphor.

They set traps.  First, a net.  Then when they dig a pit, they themselves fall into it.  David is recognizing God’s mercy and vindication.

And God’s faithfulness reaches to the skies.

All three of these psalms are psalms of affliction.  If we look at the basic theme, we are to trust in God and God’s plan.  We are to praise God even before He delivers us, for we know that God is faithful, and no mortal can take us away from God’s love, even if they end the life in this present body.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Psalm 55

“1. How do you tend to respond to troubles: (a) Deny they exist? (b) Blame someone else? (c) Avoid the problem/person? (d) Escape? (e) Tackle them head on? (f) Pray? How are you handling your biggest problem today?
“2. To whom would you like to pass the message of verse 22 (also 1Pe 5:7)?
“3. Do the streets of your city resemble verses 10-11? How do you handle the increasing deterioration of urban life? Where lies hope?
“4. When do you use speech as described in verse 21? What feelings do you hide best with words: Anger? Hatred? Jealousy? Envy? Love? Praise? Sexual interest? What does that do to your sense of who you are?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Psalm 56

“1. Does being afraid lead you to trust God more, or less? Conversely, does not trusting God lead you to be more afraid? Less? Why? How can you choose faith when you are afraid?
“2. Which gets more notice from God: Your tears? Sins? Praises? Petitions? Why? If not God, in front of whom can you cry openly?
“3. If God is with us, why do we fear human threats so much? Can head knowledge of God alleviate fears, which are emotional? How do you overcome fear?”

Psalm 57

“1. What promises of God do you lean on in hard times? Can you expect God’s protection from every disaster? Why or why not?
“2. What do you feel is God’s purpose for you? How far along are you in seeing God’s purpose fulfilled: (a) In the research stage? (b) Stalled in a production snag? (c) Back to the drawing boards? (d) Already useful in the marketplace?
“3. Verses 5 and 11 are the same, except for their context: 5 expresses faith in hard times, 11 expresses joy after deliverance. Which context is yours right now?”

There is one set of questions for each of these psalms.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.