The Book of Psalms
Psalm 55
Psalm LV · Vol. II, pp. 1021–1022
1 David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case. 9 He prayeth against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complaineth. 16 He comforteth himself in God's preservation of him, and confusion of his enemies.
To the chief musician on aNeginoth, Maschil, A psalm of David.
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for dthey cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
5 Fearfulnessg and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.1
A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.
g Ps.22.1,2; 69.1,2; 88.3,14-17. Mat.26.38. Jn.12.27.
1 Heb. covered me.
8 Ii would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.3
i 2 Sa.15.14; 17.21.
3 The persecutions and calamities which like the windy storm bow me down, and like the tempest often overwhelm me. The dove when frightened flies away from the haunts of man to her home and refuge in the clefts of the rocks, and solitudes of the desert.—P.
9 4Destroy,5 O LORD, and jdivide their tongues: for I have seen kviolence and strife in the city.
4 Heb. swallow up, Nu.16.30,33.
5 Destroy—confound.—Horsley.
j 2 Sa.15.31; 17.7,14. Jn.7.40-43; 10.19-21. Ac.23.7,8.
k Je.6.7.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; lmischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof; deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For nit was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 Buto it was thou, a man mine equal,6 myp guide, and mine acquaintance.7
o Ps.41.9.
6 Heb. a man according to my rank.
p 2 Sa.15.12; 16.23. Je.9.4. Mi.7.5.
7 'But thou, a man of my own rank, my familiar associate, my companion.' If these words refer, as is generally supposed, to Ahithophel, they are touching and graphic.—P.
14 Weq took sweet counsel8 together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
q 2 Sa.17.23; 18.9,15. Mat.27.5.
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them gor down quick into hell:9 for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.*
r Nu.16.30-32.
9 Or, the grave.
* 'Let destruction come upon them (so that their power for evil may cease); let them sink quickly into the state of death (that their persecution of God's people may come to an end)—let this happen because they are constantly and hopelessly wicked.'—P.
18 Heu hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: vfor there were many with me.2
u 2 Sa.22.1. Ps.27.1-3; 118.6-14; 34.7; 57.3. 2 Ki.6.16. 2 Co.1.9,10. 2 Ti.4.17,18. Ro.8.13.
v 2 Ch.32.7,8. 1 Jn.4.4.
2 Not aiding, but opposing me; even Satan, his angels, and wicked men, Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod, Jews and Romans.—C.
19 God shall xhear, and afflict them, even he that abideth3 of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.4
20 He yhath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken5 his covenant.
y Ac.12.1. Ps.7.4. 2 Sa.17.1,2.
21 Thez words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Casta thy burden6 upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: bhe shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Notes
Ver. 2. The speaker is to be ascertained, 1. By some parallel psalm already expounded by New Testament quotation. 2. By some internal sentiment, necessarily confined to an individual character. For the first point, see Ps. 69. 5; Ac. 1. 20, then compare Ps. 55. 12-15, 20, 21; and as Christ speaks in Ps. lxix., he also speaks in its perfect parallel, Ps. lv. The second point directs us to ver. 16-18. 22, where the positive character of the speaker's faith demonstrates that speaker to be Christ; see also ver. 4, 5, where the agony can characterize none but our Lord in Gethsemane, Lu. 22. 44. C.
Ver. 13. Mine equal—in all the natural conditions of humanity—in descent from Abraham—in claim to the promises—in possession of the oracles of God—in access to him through the ordinances of religion—and in all the familiarities of a kind, condescending, and holy intercourse. C.
Ver. 15. Let death seize upon them, &c. This judgment was exemplified in the case of Korah and his company, Nu. 16. 30, 33; and will be still more awfully inflicted in the destructive judgment of the mystical Babylon, Re. 18. 8. C.
Ver. 22. Cast thy burden. The Father here addresses his beloved Son Jesus, when he 'bore our griefs and carried our sorrows,' and through him he addresses every believer, saying, 'Cast your care upon him (the Lord), for he careth for you,' 1 Pe. 5. 7. C.
Ver. 23. Turbulent combinations of bloody and deceitful men will not be judicially permitted to live half the days to which, as peaceful individuals, they would naturally have attained. C.
Reflections.—While here, as in a glass, we behold Jesus, hated, reproached, betrayed, and murdered at Jerusalem, and the judgment of God overtaking his persecutors in the destruction and dispersion of the Jewish nation, let us observe that the best of men are ordinarily most exposed to the hatred and reproach of a carnal world: and good men may, in great trials, find their fears strong and their faith shaken; but it is a great mercy that they have Jesus' bosom and the state of glory above to flee to when they can get no peace nor rest in this world. The city, the church of God, may soon be fearfully corrupted by the influence of wicked rulers. And none are more apt to promote the corruption or betray the saints than apostate or empty professors. There has always been a sad mixture of such in the church. Carnal policy and selfish ends may carry men far and long in a religious profession, even where there is no sincerity of heart. Earnest prayers of faith are effectual to bring salvation from God. How shameful then is it that they are so little used; and that the stated meals for our bodies are more frequent than those for our souls! It is God's being on our side that raises us above fear from our adversaries. Too often want of trouble hardens men in bold impiety. But impenitence and perdition are inseparably linked together. Falsehood and perfidy will quickly find a holy God. But happy, happy for ever, are they who trust in the Lord, and by the prayers of faith cast all their burdens, troubles, works, and cares upon God, as their God and Father in Christ!