Psalms 55
55
Betrayed
To the Pure and Shining One
King David’s song of derision for instruction
1God, listen to my prayer!
Don’t hide your heart from me when I cry out to you!
2-3Come close to me and give me your answer.
Here I am, moaning and restless.
I’m preoccupied with the threats of my enemies
and crushed by the pressure of their opposition.
They surround me with trouble and terror.
In their fury they rise up against me in an angry uproar.
4My heart is trembling inside my chest
as the terror of death seizes me.
5Fear and dread overwhelm me. I shudder before the horror I face.
6I say to myself, “If only I could fly away from all of this!
If only I could run away to the place of rest and peace.
7I would run far away where no one could find me,
escaping to a wilderness retreat.”
Pause in his presence
8I will hurry off to hide in the higher place,
into my shelter, safe from this raging storm and tempest.
9God, confuse them until they quarrel with themselves.
Destroy them with their own violent strife and slander.
They have divided the city with their discord.
10Though they patrol the walls night and day against invaders,
the real danger is within the city—
the misery and strife in the hearts of its people.
11Murder is in their midst.
Wherever you turn, you find trouble and ruin.
12It wasn’t an enemy who taunted me.
If it was my enemy, filled with pride and hatred,
then I could have endured it. I would have just run away.
13But it was you, my intimate friend—one like a brother to me.
It was you, my adviser, # 55:13 The Greek word in the Septuagint can be translated as “a seer [prophet].” the companion
I walked with and worked with!
14We once had sweet fellowship with each other.
We worshiped in unity as one,
celebrating together with God’s people. # 55:14 David was speaking of Ahithophel, who had once been his friend and adviser, only to betray him. This is foreshadowing of what would happen between Jesus and Judas.
15Now desolation and darkness has come upon you.
May you and all those like you descend into the pit of destruction!
Since evil has been your home, may evil now bury you alive!
16But as for me, I will call upon the Lord to save me, and I know he will!
17Every evening I will explain my need to him.
Every morning I will move my soul toward him.
Every waking hour I will worship only him,
and he will hear and respond to my cry.
18Though many wish to fight and the tide of battle turns against me,
by your power I will be safe and secure;
peace will be my portion.
19God himself will hear me!
God-Enthroned through everlasting ages,
the God of unchanging faithfulness—
he will put them in their place,
all those who refuse to love and revere him!
Pause in his presence
20I was betrayed by my friend, though I lived in peace with him.
While he was stretching out his hand of friendship,
he was secretly breaking every promise he had ever made to me!
21His words were smooth and charming.
Yet his heart was disloyal and full of hatred—
his words soft as silk while all the time scheming my demise.
22So here’s what I’ve learned through it all:
Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord,
and measureless grace will strengthen you.
23He will watch over his devoted lovers,
never letting them slip or be overthrown.
He will send all my enemies to the pit of destruction.
Murderers, liars, and betrayers will face an untimely death.
My life’s hope and trust is in you, and you’ll never fail to rescue me!
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Psalms 55: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 55
55
A Lament over Betrayal
1For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
I
2Listen, God, to my prayer;#Ps 5:2–3; 86:6; 130:1–2; Lam 3:56; Jon 2:3.
do not hide from my pleading;
3hear me and give answer.
I rock with grief; I groan
4at the uproar of the enemy,
the clamor of the wicked.
They heap trouble upon me,
savagely accuse me.
5My heart pounds within me;
death’s terrors fall upon me.
6Fear and trembling overwhelm me;
shuddering sweeps over me.
7I say, “If only I had wings like a dove
that I might fly away and find rest.#Ps 11:1.
8Far away I would flee;
I would stay in the desert.#Jer 9:1; Rev 12:6.
Selah
9“I would soon find a shelter
from the raging wind and storm.”
II
10Lord, check and confuse their tongues.
For I see violence and strife in the city
11making rounds on its walls day and night.
Within are mischief and trouble;
12treachery is in its midst;
oppression and fraud never leave its streets.#Jer 5:1; 6:6; Ez 22:2; Heb 1:3; Zep 3:1.
13For it is not an enemy that reviled me—
that I could bear—
Not a foe who viewed me with contempt,
from that I could hide.
14But it was you, my other self,
my comrade and friend,#Ps 41:10; Jer 9:3; Mt 26:21–24 par.
15You, whose company I enjoyed,
at whose side I walked
in the house of God.
III
16Let death take them;
let them go down alive to Sheol,#Ps 49:15; Nm 16:33; Prv 1:2; Is 5:14.
for evil is in their homes and bellies.
17But I will call upon God,
and the Lord will save me.
18At dusk, dawn, and noon
I will grieve and complain,
and my prayer will be heard.#Dn 6:11.
19He will redeem my soul in peace
from those who war against me,
though there are many who oppose me.
20God, who sits enthroned forever,#Ps 29:10; 93:2; Bar 3:3.
will hear me and afflict them.
Selah
For they will not mend their ways;
they have no fear of God.
21He stretched out his hand at his friends
and broke his covenant.
22Softer than butter is his speech,
but war is in his heart.
Smoother than oil are his words,
but they are unsheathed swords.#Ps 12:3; 28:3; 57:5; 62:5; 64:4; Prv 26:24–28; Jer 9:7.
23Cast your care upon the Lord,
who will give you support.
He will never allow
the righteous to stumble.#Ps 37:5; Prv 3:5; 16:3; 1 Pt 5:7.
24But you, God, will bring them down
to the pit of destruction.#Ps 28:1; 30:4; 40:3; 88:5; 143:7; Prv 1:12; Jon 2:7.
These bloodthirsty liars
will not live half their days,
but I put my trust in you.#Ps 25:2; 56:4; 130:5.
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