1 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.
Psalm 55 is a profound chapter in the biblical Book of Psalms that explores the themes of betrayal, lamentation, and the seeking of divine intervention in times of adversity. This Psalm, attributed to King David, is a heartfelt plea for God's help in the face of treachery from a close friend, a theme that resonates with several other Psalms. The Psalmist's vivid descriptions of his emotional turmoil and his fervent prayers for divine intervention are central to the Psalm's narrative, which is a testament to the human experience of pain and the innate desire for divine solace.
A significant part of Psalm 55 is dedicated to the theme of betrayal. The Psalmist, thought to be King David, expresses his anguish over the treachery of a close friend. This betrayal is not just a personal affront; it represents a violation of trust and a disruption of the social and spiritual harmony that should characterize relationships. The Psalmist's portrayal of his friend's deceit is vivid and poignant, underscoring the depth of his despair and his yearning for divine intervention.
The Psalmist's lamentation over his friend's betrayal is not just an expression of personal pain, but also a powerful indictment of societal ills. The Psalmist's friend's betrayal is emblematic of the larger societal decay that the Psalmist sees around him. He describes the city as being filled with violence and strife, a place where deceit and mischief are rampant. The Psalmist's personal experience of betrayal is thus a microcosm of the larger societal crisis that he perceives.
Psalm 55 is also notable for its theme of lamentation. The Psalmist's expressions of despair and sorrow are deeply moving, revealing a soul in turmoil. He speaks of his heart being in anguish, of terrors of death falling upon him, of fear and trembling coming upon him, and of being overwhelmed by horror. These expressions of despair are not just personal; they are universal expressions of the human condition in the face of adversity.
The Psalmist's lamentation is not just an expression of despair, but also a form of prayer. He pours out his heart to God, expressing his deepest fears and yearnings. He asks God to hear his prayer, to hide him from the secret counsel of the wicked, and to deliver him from his enemies. The Psalmist's lamentation is thus a powerful testament to the human capacity for hope and the belief in divine intervention in the face of adversity.
Psalm 55 is also characterized by the theme of divine intervention. The Psalmist's pleas for God's help are fervent and heartfelt, underscoring his belief in God's power to deliver him from his enemies. He asks God to confound the speech of his enemies, to cast them down in their wickedness, and to deliver him from his fear. The Psalmist's belief in divine intervention is thus a powerful testament to his faith in God's power and mercy.
The Psalmist's pleas for divine intervention are not just expressions of personal faith, but also a reminder of the communal nature of faith. The Psalmist's belief in God's power to deliver him from his enemies is a testament to the collective faith of the community. His prayers for divine intervention are thus a call for communal solidarity and a reaffirmation of the community's faith in God's power and mercy.
In conclusion, Psalm 55 is a profound exploration of the themes of betrayal, lamentation, and divine intervention. The Psalmist's vivid descriptions of his emotional turmoil and his fervent prayers for divine intervention are a testament to the human experience of pain and the innate desire for divine solace. The Psalmist's portrayal of his friend's deceit is a powerful indictment of societal ills, and his pleas for divine intervention are a testament to his faith in God's power and mercy. Psalm 55 thus serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for hope and the belief in divine intervention in the face of adversity.
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