# Psalm 55 📖: Betrayed by a Friend
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#💬 Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#📂 Internal Notes]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
#### For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David.
[[#Verse 01.]] Listen, O God, to my prayer.
Do not ignore my appeal for mercy.
[[#Verse 02.]] Pay attention to me and answer me.
I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself,
[[#Verse 03.]] because of what the enemy says,
and because of how the wicked pressure me,
for they hurl trouble down upon me
and angrily attack me.
[[#Verse 04.]] My heart beats violently within me;
the horrors of death overcome me.
[[#Verse 05.]] Fear and panic overpower me;
terror overwhelms me.
[[#Verse 06.]] I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and settle in a safe place.
[[#Verse 06]] I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove.
I would fly away and settle in a safe place.
[[#Verse 07.]] Look, I will escape to a distant place;
I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
[[#Verse 08.]] I will hurry off to a place that is safe
from the strong wind and the gale.”
[[#Verse 09.]] Confuse them, O Lord.
Frustrate their plans.
For I see violence and conflict in the city.
[[#Verse 10.]] Day and night they walk around on its walls,
while wickedness and destruction are within it.
[[#Verse 11.]] Disaster is within it;
violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
[[#Verse 12.]] Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me,
or else I could bear it;
it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me,
or else I could hide from him.
[[#Verse 13.]] But it is you, a man like me,
my close friend in whom I confided.
[[#Verse 14.]] We would share personal thoughts with each other;
in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.
[[#Verse 15.]] May death destroy them.
May they go down alive into Sheol.
For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
[[#Verse 16.]] As for me, I will call out to God,
and the Lord will deliver me.
[[#Verse 17.]] During the evening, morning, and noontime
I will lament and moan,
and he will hear me.
[[#Verse 18.]] He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me,
even though they greatly outnumber me.
[[#Verse 19.]] God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago,
will hear and humiliate them. (Selah)
They refuse to change,
and do not fear God.
[[#Verse 20.]] He attacks his friends;
he breaks his solemn promises to them.
[[#Verse 21.]] His words are as smooth as butter,
but he harbors animosity in his heart.
His words seem softer than oil,
but they are really like sharp swords.
[[#Verse 22.]] Throw your burden upon the Lord,
and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the godly to be shaken.
[[#Verse 23.]] But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit.
Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan.
But as for me, I trust in you.
## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
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###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
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###### Verse 23.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The psalm is a *maskil* of David played with stringed instruments.
2. Many connect it with Absalom's rebellion and the betrayal of Ahithophel, David's trusted counselor (2 Samuel 15:12, 31).
3. Ahithophel later hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23), as Judas did after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:5).
4. Felix Mendelssohn's well-known anthem "Hear My Prayer" includes the line "O for the wings of a dove," based on 55:6.
5. Praying evening, morning, and noon (55:17) matches Daniel's habit of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10).
6. The Hebrew day began at evening, which is why "evening" comes first in 55:17.
7. The friend's words were smoother than butter and softer than oil, yet were drawn swords (55:21).
8. The prayer that enemies go down alive into Sheol (55:15) recalls Korah's rebellion, when the earth swallowed the rebels (Numbers 16:33).
9. Peter's command to cast all your cares on God (1 Peter 5:7) echoes 55:22.
10. The dove (55:6) was known in the region for nesting in the safety of cliffs and rocky places (Jeremiah 48:28).
## 🧠 Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One who was betrayed by a close companion. Like David's friend who walked with him to God's house (55:12-14), Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Luke 22:47-48), yet Jesus invites us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 💬 Discussion Questions
1. David wishes he had wings like a dove to fly away from his trouble (55:6-8). When have you wanted to escape instead of facing a hard situation?
2. The deepest wound came from a close friend (55:12-14). How can we bring betrayal to God instead of letting it turn into bitterness?
3. David says to throw your burden on the Lord (55:22). What burden do you need to hand over to God today?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- 📖 verse 6: David longs for the wings of a dove to fly away and find rest.
- 📖 verse 17: Evening, morning, and noon David cries out, and the Lord hears him.
- 📖 verse 22: Throw your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.
## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference
- 🔗 [[2 Samuel 15#Verse 31.|2 Samuel 15:31]] - Ahithophel joins Absalom.
- 🔗 [[Luke 22#Verse 47.|Luke 22:47-48]] - Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.
- 🔗 [[1 Peter 05#Verse 07.|1 Peter 5:7]] - Cast all your cares on Him.
- 🔗 [[Matthew 11#Verse 28.|Matthew 11:28-30]] - Jesus gives rest to the weary.
- 🔗 [[Daniel 06#Verse 10.|Daniel 6:10]] - Daniel prays three times a day.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
📝 SOAP: [[Psalm 55- SOAP|Make God an Active Part of Your Life]]
## 📂 Internal Notes