Psalm 55 A Psalm of David, when he was driven from Jerusalem and from his throne, by Absalom’s rebellion and conspiracy. Read 2 Samuel 15-18:17. Comments by Dennis Edwards.
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Psalm 55:12-14 For it 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 hidden myself from him: But it was you, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
David, the prototype of Jesus, has similar experiences to that of Jesus, in that he was betrayed by someone close to him. Here, David may be referring to either Absalom or Ahithophel, one of David’s chief counsellors, with whom he had had “sweet counsel together.” The Bible says, “And the counsel of Ahithophel, in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God,” 2 Samuel 16:23.
Psalm 55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
David prays against his enemies. Both Absalom and Ahithophel’s lives end shortly afterwards. Judas had a similar fate as Jesus’ betrayer.
Psalm 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.
Here we see David’s custom is to pray throughout the day. He was in constant communication with the Lord. We should do likewise.
Psalm 55:18-19a He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. God shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abides of old. Selah.
The “many with me,” could be referring to the spiritual forces on David’s side. Elisha the prophet prayed to the Lord to show one of his apprentices a glimpse into the spiritual plane when the city they were in was surrounded by Assyrian forces.
2 Kings 6:15c-17 “And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
David may have been aware of the spiritual element assisting him on his behalf.
Psalm 55:19b Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
Changes are good for us. Without change we tend to get in a rut and take things for granted. Change helps us to trust in the Lord. It can cause us to grow. Change helps us to break out of a comfort zone that may have been inhibiting our spiritual growth.
Psalm 55:20-21 He (the wicked) has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant. The 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.
As we see in the case of Absalom, he deceitfully “stole the hearts of the men of Israel,” from his father, 2 Samuel 15:6. Likewise, Judas feigned obedient discipleship to Jesus, when all along he was doubting, stealing from the common bag, and openly questioning Jesus’ decisions.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Jesus has said, “Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30.
We find the same idea in Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
We do not need to carry the burden of our lives in our own strength, on our own shoulders. Our own strength, our own shoulders are not strong or broad enough for the load. We will sink under the load, if we do not avail ourselves of God’s help. God promises to help us, if we call upon Him.
Psalm 91:15 Call upon Me, and I will answer (you): I will be with (you) in trouble; I will deliver (you).
Isaiah 41:17 “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”
Psalm 55:23 But You, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.
In the history of David, his son Absalom that rose up against him, dies in the battle. His high counsellor Ahithophel, who had been David’s close friend and counsellor, seeing that his counsel was not followed, and realizing what the sad result would be for Absalom; returns home, “put his house in order, and hanged himself, and died,” 2 Samuel 17:23. The sad results of a traitor.
As David was a prototype of Jesus, we similarly see Judas, one of Jesus’ closest friends, betray Him to His enemies. Judas, like Absalom, did not live out half his days, and like Ahithophel, dies by his own hand.
Originally published March 20, 2025.
