Psalm 55: Betrayal by Someone in the Fellowship

This psalm is an Individual Lament written by David. It was written after his wilderness wandering and he has lived in Jerusalem for a while. The betrayal listed is similar to Ahithophel’s treason with Absalom, but there is nothing in the psalm connecting it to that event. It may include that event as well as others. Betrayal was an experience of David, and Jesus, the son of David. Many Christians have experience this (William Tyndale). Charles Spurgeon’s own brother made the motion to remove Charles from the Baptist Union because he called on pastors to stand for the Word of God and not compromise with fads or Darwinian evolution (The Downgrade Controversy).

RULE #8: Learn to identify some of the different types of figures of speech used in the Bible

III. Figures of speech that show humanization.

      A. Personification (non-living things - as alive) [the trees of the field clap their hands]

      B. Anthropomorphism (human traits given to God) [before the face of God]

      C. Irony (saying - opposite of what is meant) [1 Kgs 18:27, cry louder, for he is a god]

      D. Hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration - emphasis) [all of Jerusalem and Judea went out]

      E. Interrogation (a one-answer-only question) [Is he not rightly named Jacob . . .]

      F. Idiomatic expressions (riddles, fables, euphemism, understatements, litotes, etc.) [sleep]

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  I. A prayer of desperation (vs. 1–3)

     A. God, please listen to my petition and intervene

     B. The king was required to read from Deuteronomy daily. Deut 22:3 forbids a Jew in Israel  

          from hiding from or ignoring the loss animals or clothing of his fellow Jew. This civil law  

          is similar to “Good Samaritan” laws—pretending you don’t know their need

     C. David uses this Scripture in his prayer because it reflects the character of God

     D. God will not ignore the difficult situation in which His children find themselves (Isa 58:7)

     E. In some cases God alone can deal with injustice

     F. The psalmist is in deep despair and constantly distressed by this problem (miserable)

     G. The antagonists are causing him to suffer by falsely accusing him

          bringing pressure, speaking falsehoods, mocking, bearing grudges

     H. These verbal attacks are a heavy burden

 II. An honest prayer (vs. 4–8)

      A. The psalmist is depressed and demoralized

      B. He is full of fear, anxiety, he is overwhelmed

      C. The pain (anguish) is so bad he wishes he could fly away like a bird

           Elijah 1 Kgs 19:3; Jeremiah Jer 9:2, 10:19

      D. David would rather live in a cave than be treated like this

      E. He is paralyzed emotionally and physically, weak and helpless

      F. Emotional pain can be overwhelming

III. A prayer for justice (vs. 9–15)

      A. The Sovereign God can overthrow the plans of men

           The tower of Babel (Gen 11:1–9)

      B. The antagonist has begun a whispering campaign against the man of God

      C. They are making threats, and they are telling lies

      D. The antagonist/traitor/betrayer first set-up a person in authority

      E. Ahithophel and Judas are prime examples of those who pretend to be your friends only for                   the purpose of hurting you later

      F. The betrayer has appeared to be a friend, been close in fellowship, in worship, meals,                          confidence. Those who are closest to you can hurt you the most

     G. Love demands vulnerability rather than safety, but trust is earned and can be lost

      I. Rebellion and treachery against those God has placed in a position requires God’s intervention

      J. David cites the sudden removal of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, those who rebelled against 

         God’s man Moses (Num 16:1–33). The earth opened up and down they went

IV. A prayer acknowledging God’s faithfulness in the past (vs. 16–21)

      A. What to do when attacked and betrayed by antagonists?

      B. Call on God in prayer. Yahweh will save/deliver His real children through (not from)                                the conflict

      C. The psalmist has a disciplined prayer life: morning, noon, and evening—daily

      D. God has ransomed David in past difficult situations

      E. When you attack God’s children, He has to deal with you to protect them

      F. The Divine Warrior steps in to defend and protect his own

      G. The great faithful Judge will handle injustice and keep His covenant

      H. The antagonists are covenant breakers, back stabbers and con men (liars)

       I. The antagonists' flattery is a cover-up for their wicked hearts

 V. A prayer offering praise and trust in God’s coming justice (vs. 22–23b)

      A. Take your cares, fears, and anxieties to God in prayer

      B. God will take care of wrongdoing, injustice, and make-believers

      C. Long before the Day of Judgment God will step in and bring justice 

VI. A prayer of commitment and faith (vs. 23c)

      A. Hopeful trust can sustain us after we take our burdens to God in prayer

      B. Faith will sustain us in the valleys if it is in the Faithful God of the Bible

Lessons to live by:

● Take your burdens to God in prayer

● Be vulnerable with other believers, but when they prove you cannot trust them, proceed with wisdom (forgiveness is granted, trust is earned)

● Be prepared for difficult days to come and for people to let you down

● Rest on the Sovereign God of the Bible who will sustain you through the pain

● Jesus was betrayed with a kiss; He knows exactly what real betrayal feels like

● Don’t assume you have been betrayed without having the facts