Psalm 55

A song of betrayal (of the worst kind),
A heart overwhelmed by grief, anger and trouble,
a display of raw human emotion,
and in the end....emotions spent......a heart that rests in the knowledge of where true help can be      found.

David is in great distress.  More than that of just dealing with his enemies.  His words describe a turmoil of the soul.  He is restless and so deeply disturbed that he is moaning in distress because of the hurt and harm caused him.  He describes a deep disturbing pain that is disabling.

So deep is his pain and overwhelming the situations that assail him that all he wants to do is flee (been there, done that?) .....to fly away like a bird, or wander until he is lost and not even wish to be found.  He choose being lost in the wilderness over the present situation.

Then, in the middle of his lament, he changes tone and becomes angry (v 9-11).  Destroy!  David asks God to confuse and divide the enemy.....for they are all around.....in the city, in his household, in leadership and in trusted positions.  He sees the magnitude of the evil all around him......it is overwhelming and frightening.

He picks up his lament again quickly in verse 12-14,  revealing another layer of hurt.....one that cuts even deeper.  He was betrayed by a friend.  a close friend with whom he'd experienced sweet fellowship.  They had worshiped together!

In verse 15, the raw emotion of anger rushes in again....."Let them die!  Let them be buried alive even, because of their wickedness!"

But verse 16 represents the turn around......Emotions spent, David begins to think a little more clearly.  In essence:   "I will seek God.   He alone can help.  I will not cease worshiping Him.  I will be intentional in seeking Him."  Set times of prayer are mentioned. (pray without ceasing?)  as well as spontaneous prayer like this one.  God will hear.  And He will deliver.  His enemies do not fear God, and they have no hope.

Verse 20 and 21 indicate more of a sorrow to me than the anger and turmoil of prior verses.  He speaks in a mournful tone (it sounds to me) of the friend who betrayed him.  David seems sad in stating that this one was oh so smooth!  He was convincing and reassuring, causing others to trust him.  But all the while his intent was evil.

David expresses total trust in God in verse 22.....and has rest from his turmoil.  God will cause the righteous to stand.....this truth he knows well and runs to it often as we have seen in prior Psalms.  But the wicked?   They will fall.  God will see to that too.