Psalm 55  - Betrayed by a Friend

“It is infinitely better to have the whole world for our enemies and God for our friend, than to have the whole world for our friends and God for our enemy.”

 John Brown

If you have been tempted to give up, to run away from all our problems, then this psalm is for us.  As the song writer said, “…run to Jesus and live”

Background passage- 2 Sam 15-18

Those involved:

Absalom- his son. 2 Sam 15:13, A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” v14-then we must flee at once.

David-15:30 David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me…”

Ahithophel-15:31 Someone told David that his advis Athithophel was now backing Absalom

Vv 1-2 David feels  abandoned by God

            David is anquished that he has lost his confidence, his hope in God. Don’t hide from me. Listen to my prayer, Don’t ignore me, I am overwhelmed

 Lord, where are you when I feel so alone and hurting?

Vv 3-8  His heart was in anguish, Hebrew for- to twist, writhe, to whirl, whirl about

The anxiety, fear of death is having physical effects on his body- his heart pounds, fear of death assaults him, fear and trembling literally clothe him. He is shaking out of control.  He wants to run, to fly far away. Escaping is all he can think about. This is to much for him. 

Vv 9-11  David is hurt and angry

     Confuse them, frustrate their plans

     Violence and conflict is all around me

     I am protecting the walls day and night but the problem isn’t outside, it is inside.

     Everything is falling apart, evil abounds around me

Vv 12-14  David  examines the hurt of  betrayal

     It isn’t my enemy, I understand enemies coming against you.

     It’s not my foes who so arrogantly insult me, they are not in my face everyday

“But it was thou”,  as though he is standing right in front of him and pointing his finger at the betrayer, “It is you”.  David says it about Ahithophel, Caesar in Shakesphere’s play says, “Et tu, Brute?”, for Jesus it was Judas, who betrayed the Son. 

     You were my trusted friend, for David it was not only his son Absalom but it was Ahithophel, his trusted counselor, guide, one he trusted for advice.

David says in v 14- What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.   The sadness is over whelming.  Will David now walk alone? Who will he turn to? Who will he trust?  Loneliness, abandonment is more than he can handle alone. 

This friend, knew him, the secrets of his heart.  Treated as an equal, trusted with his thoughts, emotions, decisions, how could this “one” betray him?

V 15- for a moment more, he gives his opinion.  “Let death stalk them, let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.  David is caught up in both righteous and personal reasons, i.e. Lord, I don’t want them to be a daily reminder.

Vv16- 19        BUT,       okay, God is calling David to Himself and David is running to Him.    I will call on God and the Lord will rescue me.  Morning, noon and night, I am going to pray until He hears my voice.  A line of prayer through the day.

Instead of plotting against the betrayer, David turns to God and states the TRUTH.  The Lord shall save me. He will be everything I need. He will fulfill my desires and bring Glory to Himself in my deliverance.

He counteract the enemies plots with continuous pray.  God will hear me and humble them. They won’t change their ways and they don’t fear my God. 

Remembering the promises of God to never leave him nor forsake him, David relies on God’s promises which have never failed him.  He hides himself in the shelter and protection of the most High God.

Again, David states the cause of his extreme pain and sorrow.

vv20-21    My Companion betrayed his friends

     He broke his promises

     His words sound good, but his heart is filled with hatred and war

     His words sound soothing but he has a dagger hidden beneath them

v22David’s advice to himself and to those listening

     Give your burdens to the Lord. Lay them on Him.

     I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.”

He WILL NOT permit the godly to slip and fall.

He will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction.

Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”

v23 Murderers and liars will die young, their lives lead to destruction

BUT, as for me , I am trusting You to save me.