May 5, 2022 - Psalms 52-59

Psalm 55 is a particularly somber testimony. It’s one thing to have one’s enemies opposing you, but David has experienced treachery at the hand of a close friend. David’s solution? “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. . . . I will trust in you” (Ps 55:22,23). A reminder that we are often disappointed in even the best of people, but God never fails or disappoints us.

The other Psalms in this section are largely David’s cries to the Lord as he flees from Saul or when Saul is seeking to kill him. He is persecuted without cause: “For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready” (Ps 59:3,4).

Treachery by a trusted friend. Constantly harassed and persecuted by his king, though he is innocent. But here’s his hope: “O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress” (Ps 59:9).

I owe the Lord a morning song

of gratitude and praise,

for the kind mercy freely shown

in length’ning out my days.

Keep me until you call me hence,

where never night can be,

and save me, God, for Jesus’ sake;

he shed his blood for me. –Amos Herr (1890)