* Psalm 54:1-3 "Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life-- men without regard for God. Selah "
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* David was a wanted fugitive for no crime other than having more success than the king. David hid in the vicinity of Ziph, a small city in Judah. (Joshua 15:24; 1 Chronicles 2:42, 4:16, 23:14-15, 26:2) "The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon? Now, O king, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for handing him over to the king.'" (The psalm's title and 1 Samuel 23:19-20)
David regarded the Ziphites as strangers and ruthless men who sought his life. (3) They did not care that David was innocent and the victim of a king's jealousy. If they knew David had been anointed to be the next king of Israel, they did not care. They only saw a possible advantage for themselves. Their actions show that their selfishness put them against God's will.
When David learned of this plot he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Moan. Saul followed. (1 Samuel 23:19) David, though an advanced and well-skilled warrior did not fight the king and his men. Instead, he wrote this prayer psalm during the chase. "Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might." (1)
David and his men were on one side of the mountain and Saul and his army were on the other. (1 Samuel 23:26) The Lord heard David's prayer. He sent the Philistines to raid Israel. The Philistines saw Saul's insistent fixation on killing David as an opportunity for plunder. This too was the work of God on behalf of David. Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. (1 Samuel 23:19) Always pray. Do not give up. Leave if I must, but always pray and Jesus will hear and answer. He works in ways I cannot.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 54:1-3.
>2.
* Psalm 54:4 "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me."
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* Verse 4 is the pin on which the refrains on each side spin. It pegs the hour and minute hands to the face of the clock as they spin. Verse 4 is the meat of the three-course meal. The center is the confession of hope. The center is the confession of confidence in the Most High God. "Elohim azar" (Hebrew) opens David's conviction. God is my help.
When trouble spins me like a tornado does a tree, where do I find my anchor? Do I trust in myself for help? Do I look to another? Is my wealth, power, weapons, or creations what I believe will save me?
The Canaanite woman whose daughter suffered terribly from demon possession went to Jesus for help for he had come near where she lived. When Jesus did not answer a word, she kept on trusting in him. She did not give up asking.
The disciples were annoyed and wanted him to send her away. When Jesus said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel" the woman came and knelt before him, "Lord, help me!" she exclaimed. When he still resisted doing anything she kept her faith in him. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Jesus replied, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:25)
David also eventually saw the Lord deliver him. So he confesses, "The Lord is the one who sustains my soul."
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 54:4.
>3.
* Psalm 54:5-7 "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. For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes."
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* David is not invoking a curse on the Ziphites. Actually, the imprecation in verse 5 is not that at all. Rather, it is an appeal to God to redress wrongs perpetrated against the psalmist by imposing penalties commensurate with the violence in accordance with the normal judicial procedure in human court. He wanted justice done by the hand of God. Perhaps in part because King Saul controlled the human courts. Most definitely because he lived by the word of God.
David knew that he who has been wronged is not to right that wrong by his own hand but is to leave redress to the Lord, who says, "It is mine to avenge. I will prepay". (Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:19) Therefore, David appeals his case to the divine Judge. (Jeremiah 15:15) He will not be a vigilante. One person cannot be the arrestor, prosecutor, judge, sentencer, and executioner; especially for crimes upon themselves.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman congregation, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 54:5-7.
II. My Heart is in Anguish (55:1-14)
>4.
* Psalm 55:1-3 "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.
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* Times existed when I asked God for something, and it seemed like he ignored my plea, just like David here. Even now, I am asking him to hear me and answer me. By wanting an answer, David and I are saying we want him to grant us what we are asking for.
Sure, I know that he could be saying, "Wait for it," like Abraham waited twenty-five years. I also understand that he could be saying, "No, you will not be granted what you are asking for." Yet, like the widow before the unjust judge who neither feared God nor cared about men I am asking again and again. (Luke 18:1-8)
David's circumstances were perhaps the Absalom's conspiracy against the king. (2 Samuel 15-17) The city is in turmoil. The enemy speaks against David. The wicked stare at him. They revile him in their anger. He calls to God and nothing changes. David remains troubled and distraught.
I am reminded of Jude's letter, "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:1-3.
>5.
* Psalm 55:4-8 "My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--
7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."
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* When my heart is in anguish and the terrors within grip me, the compulsion to escape, suddenly fly away like a morning dove sits in my heart. David feared a sudden death. Fear and trembling hemmed in. Horror overwhelmed as when the automobile I am driving is about to crash with my children in the back seat. A quick escape to a quiet lonely desert far far away seems good to the heart at times like these. My heart's desire is wrestling with the mind's reason.
Responsibilities hold me in place. Others depend on me. They have fears too. They look to me for help. I look to God Jesus. He sustains. He strengthens. He plants my feet on stable ground. He is the reason to stay. He steadies my heart. The Spirit holds me together. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:15-17) As Jeremiah the prophet wrote, "O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me." (Jeremiah 8:18)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:4-8.
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* Psalm 55:9-11 "Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.
11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets."
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* David examines the acts of Jerusalem's citizens. He does not like what he sees. He wants the people to stop their violence, strife, malice, abuse, threats, and lies, but he knows he cannot change the people's hearts. Prayer is his only resolve. The Lord can confound their speech and confuse the wicked. God can put an end to the destruction. As king, David could attempt to stop the wicked in the city. However, a close friend has undermined his authority in an attempt to overthrow David.
I am just a layman. I have no authority in the congregation I attend. I am just a citizen. I have no authority in the country I live in. I am not wealthy and famous. I have a little voice in society. I too see what David sees. The resources I have to make a change are found in prayer to God and https://www.FreeBibleStudyHelp.com. I pray as David, "Confuse the wicked, O Lord Jesus, confound their speech."
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:9-11.
>6.
* Psalm 55:12-14 "If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God."
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* The scheme and betrayal of an enemy can be endured, but those of a friend, son, or daughter will trouble the soul and bring illness to the body. One of David's own, perhaps Absalom's conspiracy to take the throne is such an occasion. (2 Samuel 15-17) I have had friends, coworkers, and managers turn against me for ill reason or no reason. Occasionally, their actions and words still come to mind bringing sadness and the burden of loss.
Jesus was also betrayed by one of the twelve, Judas. Jesus gave Judas distinction when he was given charge of the money purse. His heart seeking more wealth betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-16, 21, 23, 27:3, 5, 9-10) Judas was Jesus' companion for three years, a close friend. They enjoyed sweet fellowship. Judas betrayed him and Jesus knew it from the beginning. (John 13:21) Jesus knows what it is like to be betrayed by a friend.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:12-14.
III. The Righteous Will See and Fear (55:15-23)
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* Psalm 55:15 "Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them."
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* The normal lifespan ends when the body can no longer keep itself in working condition (Numbers 16:29). If I eat healthy, keep my environment clean, and keep my body active, I may live a normal lifespan of seventy or eighty years. David did not want the conspirators to live a normal lifespan. He asked the Lord God for amends. He asks the Lord to send them to "Sheol" (Hebrew, similar to grave and hell).
Jesus told a parable about an unnamed rich man and a poor man named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man did not help nor care for poor Lazarus. Self and wealth were his love. He loathed Lazarus. The rich man died and went to Hades (Greek, similar to grave and hell). Lazarus went to paradise where he awaited the coming of King Jesus in comfort.
David's enemies wanted him removed from ruling and die to see the rich man's fate in Jesus' parable. They maliciously sought to see that happen. David prayed for the same for these enemies. The difference is that David did not actively seek to make it happen through his hands. There is nothing wrong with praying for an enemy to repent. And if they continue to resist I can pray for relief from their malice with them ceasing to live. Some may find this countering Jesus's teaching to turn the other cheek. Yet, David did both.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:15.
>8.
* Psalm 55:16-19 "But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-- Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God."
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* David was being harassed and undermined. Someone he considered a close friend was trying to overthrow him. A person who said nice things to him and then spoke lies about him to others. A traitor hated him for no good reason. One by one more and more people believed the betrayer's lies till there were many against him.
David's response was to pray. Like the prophet Daniel, David cried out to the Lord his God three times a day; evening, morning, and noon. He had full confidence that God had and will save him. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:10-11)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:16-19.
>9.
* Psalm 55:20-21 "My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."
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* Words spoken can build up or they can tear down. David's friend violated their covenant. Now as a crafty tongue slinger, he is using his smooth speech to wage war against David. He intends to humiliate David into exile and take the throne as his own. However, the covenant he breaks will be his destruction, not David's for he is attacking God's covenant with David. As Jude wrote, "These men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them." (Jude 1:10)
Among congregations and from the pulpit within congregations I sometimes hear manmade thoughts that should not be taught. I am reminded of Apostle John's words, "They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." (1 John 4:5-6)
I need to remain and be filled with the Spirit for whoever knows God listens to the truth and speaks the truth of the Spirit.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 55:20-21.
>10.
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* David has confidence that God will hear his cry for justice. He wrote, "Cast your cares (burden) on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Apostle Peter does too. He wrote, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) The concept of "cares" and "anxiety" is like me being given a very heavy load to carry that makes my body scream in pain; one that I can only carry a short distance while my muscles, back, and joints burn in pain.
Jesus invites me to cast my cares on him. He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) Knowing this David firmly decided, "But as for me, I trust in you."
The wicked, bloodthirsty, and deceitful will not have such comforting help as long as they hold onto their evil ways. They will die and go to the pit of corruption. They will not live eternally in paradise with Jesus as I will.
