DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 55 David prays for protection against an oppressor and a traitor. The rebellion of Absalom and the treachery of his co-conspirator Ahithophel best fit the historical circumstances mentioned (2 Samuel 15-18). Today's painting illustrates the outcome of all of David's struggles -- rest.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 15. 2 Samuel 16. 2 Samuel 17. 2 Samuel 18. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 55 - #1. Psalm 55 - #2. Psalm 55 - #3. ]

     David asks God to listen to him, look upon him favorably, and attend to his mournful complaint. His enemies, who were filled with wrath and hatred, were loud and oppressive in their accusations that David was iniquitous (1-3). His heart was filled with pain , terror, and fear; he was overwhelmed with trembling and horror. He longed to have wings so that he could fly away like a dove and be at rest in a far-off place in the wilderness (4-7). If he could, he would escape from the windy storm and tempest. So he asks the Lord (Adonai) to divide their tongues because of their violence, strife, mischief, wickedness, deceit, and guile. These things were done, not by an enemy, but by a close friend and companion (probably his counselor Ahithophel) -- a man who was like Judas who betrayed the Jesus. He asks, therefore, that death would seize upon him and his companions. But, as for David, he turned to the LORD who would save him; and he prayed morning, night, and noon. In the past God had delivered his soul in peace from his enemies; so David was confident that God would hear him and would afflict his enemies (8 - 19-a). These people do not fear God because they live in peace. they afflict those who are at peace with them. They break their covenant. They speak smoothly and softly; but their words, which were like drawn swords, were filled with war. So David tells his hearers to cast their burden upon the LORD because they will sustain them; and he will never allow the righteous to be moved. But, as for the wicked, God will bring them down to the pit of destruction; and bloody and deceitful men will not live out half of their days. But, as for David, he will trust in God (19-b - 23).

Give ear to my prayer, O God;
and hide not thyself from my supplication.
² Attend unto me, and hear me:
I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
³ Because of the voice of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked:
for they cast iniquity upon me,
and in wrath they hate me.
⁴ My heart is sore pained within me:
and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me,
and horror hath overwhelmed me.
⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off,
and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

⁸ I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues:
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof:
mischief 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 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 hid myself from him:
¹³ But it was thou,
a man mine equal,
my guide,
and mine acquaintance.
¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together,
and walked unto the house of God in company.
¹⁵ Let death seize upon them,
and let them go down quick into hell:
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God;
and the LORD shall save me.
¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice.
¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me:
for there were many with me.
¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them,
even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,
therefore they fear not God.
²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him:
he hath broken his covenant.
²¹ 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.
²² Cast thy burden upon the LORD,
and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction:
bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
but I will trust in thee.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]