55
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A maskil ·instructional wisdom psalm· by David [Beloved].
Context: David’s son Absalom [Father peace] is trying to overthrow his father King David [Beloved]. He has a plan to pursue and murder David [Beloved]. God frustrates these plans to bring disaster on Absalom [Father peace]. (2 Sam 17 (Emphesis 2 Sam 15:12; 16:23; 17:21))
1 Listen to my prayer, God.
Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
3 Because 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.
4 My heart is severely pained within me.
The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me.
Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove!
Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Behold, then I would wander far off.
I would lodge in the wilderness.”
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language,
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls.
Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 Destructive forces are within her.
Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
12 *MP: Messiah is betrayed by a close friend. (See also Ps 41:9; Zech 11:12-13). (Matt 26:48-50)For 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.
13 But it was you, a man like me,
my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 We took sweet fellowship together.
We walked in God’s house with company.
15 Let death come suddenly on them.
Let them go down alive into Sheol ·Place of the dead·.
For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
16 As for me, I will call on God.
Adonai will save me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress.
He will sh'ma ·hear obey· my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
although there are many who oppose me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever,
will sh'ma ·hear obey·, and humble them.
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
They never change,
who don’t fear God.
20 He raises his hands against his friends.
He has violated his covenant.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter,
but his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
He will never allow the upright to be moved.
23 But 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.
*55:12 MP: Messiah is betrayed by a close friend. (See also Ps 41:9; Zech 11:12-13). (Matt 26:48-50)
†55:22 Quoted in 1 Pet 5:7