Old Testament

Psalms 55

Cry, Flight, and Surrender

9 passages

Overview

Overwhelmed by enemies within his own city and devastated by the betrayal of a close companion and fellow worshipper, the Psalmist moves from a desperate longing to flee to bold, persevering prayer at every hour, finally exhorting the faithful to cast their burdens upon God, who sustains the just and judges the treacherous.

Passages

1–2The Soul's Urgent Cry: Opening Plea for God's Attention 3–5The Soul's Cry from the Depths of Dread 6–8Wings Like a Dove: The Soul's Cry for Refuge 9–11Towers of Confusion: Prayer Against the City of Wickedness 12–14The Wound of Betrayal by a Close Friend 15Death to the Deceiver: The Cry of the Betrayed Soul 16–19Confidence in God's Saving Answer 20–21The Treachery of the Covenant-Breaker 22–23Cast Your Burden: Trust, Surrender, and Divine Justice

Study Resources

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Psalms 55

¹For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

²Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

³because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.

⁴My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

⁶I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

⁷Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

⁸“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”

⁹Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.

¹¹Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.

¹²For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.

¹³But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.

¹⁴We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.

¹⁵Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.

¹⁶As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me.

¹⁷Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

¹⁸He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.

¹⁹God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. They never change and don’t fear God.

²⁰He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.

²¹His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

²²Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

²³But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

Psalms 54 Psalms 56