Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
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.
My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
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:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
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.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
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.
Psalms 55 offers a raw and honest glimpse into David's heart during a time of intense personal crisis. This psalm, a maskiyl, invites us to contemplate the somber realities of betrayal, fear, and the overwhelming sense of being attacked on all sides. It is a powerful reminder that even those closest to God experience deep pain and distress, and that crying out to Him is always the appropriate response. The psalm reflects David's plea for divine help during a time of persecution, similar to Psalms 3, 6, and 35. Many scholars believe this psalm was written in response to the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12) and the treachery of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31), his trusted advisor. Despite the turmoil, David expresses confidence in God's protection and ultimate justice.
A Plea for Rescue (Psalms 55:1-5)
David begins with an urgent prayer, crying out to God for help. In Psalms 55:1, he implores God to listen and not ignore his plea. The intensity of his distress is palpable. He is distraught by the threats of his enemies (Psalms 55:3), and the descriptions of his suffering emphasize the anxiety he experiences. He describes himself as restless, in turmoil, and overwhelmed by horror (Psalms 55:2, 4-5). The Hebrew word used to describe David's fear literally means "trembling" or "shaking," vividly portraying the terror he felt. When negative emotions consume you, follow David’s example and cry out to God, who hears.
Longing for Escape (Psalms 55:6-8)
Consumed by dread, David longs for escape. He imagines having wings like a dove, a bird known for finding secluded nesting places. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" (Psalms 55:6). He desires to fly far away from danger and trouble, seeking a shelter that would provide safety and rest (Psalms 55:6, 8). This longing for escape is a common human experience, especially when facing overwhelming stress and anxiety.
A Prayer for Justice (Psalms 55:9-11)
While seeking deliverance, David also prays for God's judgment on his enemies. He asks the Lord to interfere with their ability to communicate and conspire against him (Psalms 55:9), similar to how God confused the languages at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). He describes the violence, strife, oppression, and deceit that fill the city (Psalms 55:9, 11), painting a picture of the chaos and evil they have brought to Jerusalem.
The Pain of Betrayal (Psalms 55:12-15)
The deepest wound comes from the betrayal of a close friend. David laments, "For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my close friend" (Psalms 55:12-13). This betrayal at the hands of a trusted companion, likely a reference to Ahithophel, the royal counselor-turned-traitor, is almost unbearable. They had shared close fellowship (Psalms 55:13-14), making the betrayal even more painful. David prays for God's judgment against those who do evil (Psalms 55:15), but he does not seek revenge himself; he asks that God would bring about his own justice.
Confidence in God's Deliverance (Psalms 55:16-21)
David pleads with God for deliverance, crying out to him around the clock, confident that God hears his voice (Psalms 55:17). He doesn't utter a calm, respectable prayer; instead, he complains and groans (Psalms 55:17), being emotionally honest with God. It’s okay to be authentic with God when your life is in turmoil. He already knows your thoughts and anxieties, so there’s no point trying to hide them from him. David comforts himself with the knowledge that no matter how many oppose him, God is enthroned as King and will humiliate them (Psalms 55:18-19). He trusts that the Lord knows about the friend who broke covenant with him (Psalms 55:20), and that such actions do not go unnoticed by the God who is always faithful to his own covenant.
Casting Your Cares on the Lord (Psalms 55:22-23)
Having made his requests known to God, David urges us to "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved" (Psalms 55:22). This is an invitation to trust in God's promise to care for those who rely on Him (see 1 Peter 5:7). Place on God’s shoulders that which is weighing you down as you wait for him to intervene in your circumstances. Pray to him concerning the treachery of the wicked and trust him to act on your behalf in accordance with his kingdom program (Psalms 55:23). David ends with confidence that God will bring the wicked to "the pit of destruction" (Psalms 55:23), while those who trust in Him will be sustained.
Psalms 55 reminds us that even in the midst of intense suffering and betrayal, we can find hope and strength in God. By crying out to Him, trusting in His justice, and casting our burdens on Him, we can experience His sustaining grace and unwavering love.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
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.
My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
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:
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
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.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
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.
Psalms 55 offers a raw and honest glimpse into David's heart during a time of intense personal crisis. This psalm, a maskiyl, invites us to contemplate the somber realities of betrayal, fear, and the overwhelming sense of being attacked on all sides. It is a powerful reminder that even those closest to God experience deep pain and distress, and that crying out to Him is always the appropriate response. The psalm reflects David's plea for divine help during a time of persecution, similar to Psalms 3, 6, and 35. Many scholars believe this psalm was written in response to the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12) and the treachery of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31), his trusted advisor. Despite the turmoil, David expresses confidence in God's protection and ultimate justice.
A Plea for Rescue (Psalms 55:1-5)
David begins with an urgent prayer, crying out to God for help. In Psalms 55:1, he implores God to listen and not ignore his plea. The intensity of his distress is palpable. He is distraught by the threats of his enemies (Psalms 55:3), and the descriptions of his suffering emphasize the anxiety he experiences. He describes himself as restless, in turmoil, and overwhelmed by horror (Psalms 55:2, 4-5). The Hebrew word used to describe David's fear literally means "trembling" or "shaking," vividly portraying the terror he felt. When negative emotions consume you, follow David’s example and cry out to God, who hears.
Longing for Escape (Psalms 55:6-8)
Consumed by dread, David longs for escape. He imagines having wings like a dove, a bird known for finding secluded nesting places. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest" (Psalms 55:6). He desires to fly far away from danger and trouble, seeking a shelter that would provide safety and rest (Psalms 55:6, 8). This longing for escape is a common human experience, especially when facing overwhelming stress and anxiety.
A Prayer for Justice (Psalms 55:9-11)
While seeking deliverance, David also prays for God's judgment on his enemies. He asks the Lord to interfere with their ability to communicate and conspire against him (Psalms 55:9), similar to how God confused the languages at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). He describes the violence, strife, oppression, and deceit that fill the city (Psalms 55:9, 11), painting a picture of the chaos and evil they have brought to Jerusalem.
The Pain of Betrayal (Psalms 55:12-15)
The deepest wound comes from the betrayal of a close friend. David laments, "For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my close friend" (Psalms 55:12-13). This betrayal at the hands of a trusted companion, likely a reference to Ahithophel, the royal counselor-turned-traitor, is almost unbearable. They had shared close fellowship (Psalms 55:13-14), making the betrayal even more painful. David prays for God's judgment against those who do evil (Psalms 55:15), but he does not seek revenge himself; he asks that God would bring about his own justice.
Confidence in God's Deliverance (Psalms 55:16-21)
David pleads with God for deliverance, crying out to him around the clock, confident that God hears his voice (Psalms 55:17). He doesn't utter a calm, respectable prayer; instead, he complains and groans (Psalms 55:17), being emotionally honest with God. It’s okay to be authentic with God when your life is in turmoil. He already knows your thoughts and anxieties, so there’s no point trying to hide them from him. David comforts himself with the knowledge that no matter how many oppose him, God is enthroned as King and will humiliate them (Psalms 55:18-19). He trusts that the Lord knows about the friend who broke covenant with him (Psalms 55:20), and that such actions do not go unnoticed by the God who is always faithful to his own covenant.
Casting Your Cares on the Lord (Psalms 55:22-23)
Having made his requests known to God, David urges us to "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved" (Psalms 55:22). This is an invitation to trust in God's promise to care for those who rely on Him (see 1 Peter 5:7). Place on God’s shoulders that which is weighing you down as you wait for him to intervene in your circumstances. Pray to him concerning the treachery of the wicked and trust him to act on your behalf in accordance with his kingdom program (Psalms 55:23). David ends with confidence that God will bring the wicked to "the pit of destruction" (Psalms 55:23), while those who trust in Him will be sustained.
Psalms 55 reminds us that even in the midst of intense suffering and betrayal, we can find hope and strength in God. By crying out to Him, trusting in His justice, and casting our burdens on Him, we can experience His sustaining grace and unwavering love.