Psalms 55
FBMeyerPsalms 55:1-11
Fleeing the City’ s Ills Psalms 55:1-11 This psalm was suggested by Absalom’ s rebellion and Ahithophel’ s treachery. But it contains references which, in their full extent, are chiefly applicable to Judas’ treatment of our Lord. The terrors of the unseen, the stealthy tread of the assassin, the treachery of a friend, the drawn sword under unctuous speech-such were the bitter ingredients mingled for this deeply-tried soul. But we have all known something of his disappointment and anguish, and have longed for the swift wings of a dove to escape to the bosom of God. One of the Puritans says: “ My Spouse is ascended higher than the highest heavens, and I, poor soul, am left desolate and disconsolate in this valley of tears. The weight of my weakness and my sins doth so clog and shackle me, so glue and nail me to the earth, that I cannot rise. Let Him descend and give me wings whereby I may ascend.” Who will give-humility. Who will give wings-celerity. Like a dove-innocence. Fly away-aspirations to the Lord, “ whom having not seen, we love.” Rest-permanent security.
Oh for wings like a dove!The groundwork of this Psalm was suggested by Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s treachery (2 Samuel 15:12). But the Spirit leads out the Psalmist beyond the immediate occasion to depict the sufferings of our Lord at the hand of Judas. And the whole Church has fellowship with those sufferings, in the days of treacherous foes and false friends.
It may be divided thus: Psalms 55:1-2, The cry of the soul; Psalms 55:3-8, A description of desperate need; Psalms 55:9-11, The sin of the city;Psalms 55:12-15; Psalms 55:19-21, A particularization of the plottings and deceit of a former friend; Psalms 55:16-18, Expressions of trust in God; Psalms 55:22-23, Exhortations to others, founded on personal experience.
Psalms 55:4-5. My heart is sore pained How aptly do these words describe those deeply convicted of sin!
Psalms 55:6. Oh that I had wings like a dove! The dove is swift in its flight and it hides before a storm. What a picture of timid innocence! How often do we suppose that we should find rest in changed circumstances! But the restless heart would be restless everywhere. The words of Jesus are the true answer to this cry for rest (Matthew 11:28, and Hebrews 4:3).
Psalms 55:12-14. Thou … Mine acquaintance! Our Lord, who bore his other sorrows in silence, exclaimed against the treachery of Judas, as if this were the drop which made His cup overflow.
Psalms 55:15.Quick, i.e., alive, like Korah (Numbers 16:1-50). Very different was the spirit of the old dispensation to that of Christ (Matthew 5:43-45; Matthew 26:52; Luke 23:34).
Psalms 55:17. Evening, morning, and noon Referring to the habit of the pious Jew (Daniel 6:10-13). If we need to eat for physical strength thrice each day, do we not need to pray as often? But though we have our fixed times, no time is unreasonable. God’s courts of appeal never rise or close their doors.
Psalms 55:22. Thy burden, as the margin (R.V.) suggests, is that which God has given thee to carry. “He cast it on thee: now cast it back on Him.” We cannot do God’s work in the world, so long as we stoop under burdens which impede our energies. Therefore hand over all. Let no burden be brought into the inner city to disturb its Sabbath-keeping (Nehemiah 13:19).
Psalms 55:12-23
Friends May Forsake, but God Abideth Psalms 55:12-23 The streets and open spaces of the city were filled with conspirators. Violence, strife, deceit, and oppression trampled the virtuous and helpless under foot. The treachery of Ahithophel was worse than all. How different the hot anger of David from our Lord’ s treatment of Judas, when He washed Judas’ feet, expostulated with him in the garden, and bade him pause to think to what he had come! Blessed is the soul that retires from the hubbub of the street-as David, Daniel, and all devout Israelites were wont to do-three times a day. Compare Psalms 55:17 with Daniel 6:10 and Acts 10:9. He will cover our heads in the day of battle and redeem our souls in peace, if only we will trust Him. As the r.v. marginal rendering of Psa 55:22 suggests, thy burden is that which God has given thee to carry. It did not come by chance nor from the evil intent of men. He cast it on thee; cast it back on Him. We cannot do our work so long as we stoop beneath the exhausting waste of anxiety and care. Hand all over to thy Father’ s care. Let no burdens break the Sabbath-keeping of thy heart! Nehemiah 13:19.
Oh for wings like a dove!The groundwork of this Psalm was suggested by Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s treachery (2 Samuel 15:12). But the Spirit leads out the Psalmist beyond the immediate occasion to depict the sufferings of our Lord at the hand of Judas. And the whole Church has fellowship with those sufferings, in the days of treacherous foes and false friends.
It may be divided thus: Psalms 55:1-2, The cry of the soul; Psalms 55:3-8, A description of desperate need; Psalms 55:9-11, The sin of the city;Psalms 55:12-15; Psalms 55:19-21, A particularization of the plottings and deceit of a former friend; Psalms 55:16-18, Expressions of trust in God; Psalms 55:22-23, Exhortations to others, founded on personal experience.
Psalms 55:4-5. My heart is sore pained How aptly do these words describe those deeply convicted of sin!
Psalms 55:6. Oh that I had wings like a dove! The dove is swift in its flight and it hides before a storm. What a picture of timid innocence! How often do we suppose that we should find rest in changed circumstances! But the restless heart would be restless everywhere. The words of Jesus are the true answer to this cry for rest (Matthew 11:28, and Hebrews 4:3).
Psalms 55:12-14. Thou … Mine acquaintance! Our Lord, who bore his other sorrows in silence, exclaimed against the treachery of Judas, as if this were the drop which made His cup overflow.
Psalms 55:15.Quick, i.e., alive, like Korah (Numbers 16:1-50). Very different was the spirit of the old dispensation to that of Christ (Matthew 5:43-45; Matthew 26:52; Luke 23:34).
Psalms 55:17. Evening, morning, and noon Referring to the habit of the pious Jew (Daniel 6:10-13). If we need to eat for physical strength thrice each day, do we not need to pray as often? But though we have our fixed times, no time is unreasonable. God’s courts of appeal never rise or close their doors.
Psalms 55:22. Thy burden, as the margin (R.V.) suggests, is that which God has given thee to carry. “He cast it on thee: now cast it back on Him.” We cannot do God’s work in the world, so long as we stoop under burdens which impede our energies. Therefore hand over all. Let no burden be brought into the inner city to disturb its Sabbath-keeping (Nehemiah 13:19).