God Speaks
55 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God.
Do not ignore my cry for help!
2 Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3 My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.
4 My heart pounds in my chest.
The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
7 I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
8 How quickly I would escape—
far from this wild storm of hatred.
9 Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,
but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11 Everything is falling apart;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
15 Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16 But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19 God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them. Interlude
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!
22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23 But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
56 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”
1 O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
5 They are always twisting what I say;
they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me—
watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
in your anger, O God, bring them down.
8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Psalm 55: This is the cry of one who is being or will be betrayed, particularly by someone very close to them. As Reardon points out, it is best understood (or fulfilled) in the case of the Lord Jesus with Judas Iscariot. * It may have been composed by David in regard to someone close to him who betrayed him; however, it can be applied by anyone facing maligning by either outside enemies or those they are close to and have trusted. It covers all levels of attack, though the most emotionally painful is the attack of a close “friend” with whom we have eaten, laughed, and worshiped. The bright spot in this psalm is that there is an escape: turning to the God who listens to our cries for help. God rescues, sustains, and protects. He will never leave or betray those who trust Him, and He will deal with liars, murderers, and betrayers in His time and in His way.
Psalm 56: In this psalm David is still under attack, but he is expressing his need and trust in the One who can truly help. Whenever they are afraid, God’s chosen ones can trust in Him. They don’t need to be afraid of what mere mortals can do to them. They can offer praises to God knowing that He can be trusted to keep His promises. He will deliver their souls from death, keep their feet from falling, and help them to walk in the light of the living.
*Christ in the Psalms by Patrick Henry Reardon, p. 107-12.
Prayer: Dear Sovereign LORD, Please listen to the cries for help from those who are being mistreated, abused, maligned, cancelled, ostracized, falsely accused or betrayed. Rescue them. Sustain them. Protect them. Let them know beyond doubt that You will never harm, leave, or betray those who trust You. You will deal with liars, abusers, murderers, and betrayers in Your time and in Your way. May those who are under attack express their concerns, whatever they are, and trust in You, the One who can truly help. Whenever they are afraid, may Your chosen ones trust in You. We don’t need to be afraid of what mere mortals can do to us. We can offer praises to You, LORD God, knowing that You can be trusted to keep Your promises. You will deliver our souls from death, keep our feet from falling, and help us to walk in the light and the land of the living. To the praise of Your glory. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will pray these psalms on behalf of whoever is under attack for standing up for what is right and good.
- I will not be afraid of what mere mortals can do and take action on behalf of someone who is being attacked.
- I will stand up for someone who is being maligned, cancelled, or falsely accused.
- I will search out the facts behind “propaganda,” especially regarding elections. To be the truth, it must line up with God’s character and His word.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.