Bible in one year 8/28/ 2022 Psalm 54-55
By Rev. Katherine
Liu Bruce
Christian Arts
Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry &
Counseling
Psalm 54 Reflecting on the
treachery of the Ziphites, who revealed to Saul that David was hiding among
them (1Sam.23), David petitions God for deliverance from his enemies (vv.1-3)
and praises Him for the answer (vv.4-7).
Let evil recoil on those
who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them. I will sacrifice a freewill
offering to you, I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good (v.5-6). For he has delivered me from
all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. (v.7).
Psalm 55 Because of the treachery of an intimate friend
(vv.12-13), David prays in anguish (with respect to himself, vv.1-8), in anger
(with respect to his enemies,vv.9-15), and in assurance (with respect to God,
vv.16-23). Verse 9 may means such
confusion and division as occurred at Babel happen to my enemies (Gen.11:7,9). Verses 10-11 As king, David was especially
concerned that the city had become a parade ground for revels and terrorists.
Verse 13 we cannot be sure who this traitor was, though verses 20-21 tell us
who he acted. Let them go down alive to the grace. I.e., let God’s judgment be
immediate and startling (as was that upon Korah, Num.16:30-32), not for
personal vindication but because the treachery was against God’s appointed
leader.
Psalm 55 1-23 A psalm of David
Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my
plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the
voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering
upon me and revile me in their anger. (vv.1-3).
My heart is in anguish
within me; the terrors of death assail 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 flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of
shelter, far from the tempest and storm. (vv.4-8).
Confuse the wicked, O
Lord, confound their speech, 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. (vv.9-11)
If an enemy were insulting
me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide
from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friends,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the
house of God. (vv.12-14).
Let death take my
enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging
among them. But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. (vv.15-17).
He ransoms me unharmed
from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is
enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them –men who never change their
ways and have no fear of God. (vv.18-19).
My companion attacks his
friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is
in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
(vv.20-21).
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago,
IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.
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