Psalm 55

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.

Key Verse:
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:

Key Observation:
Someone deeply respected by David has betrayed him.

Memory Verse:
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Devotion:
Again I can contemplate and see the antichrist: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart.” But also there is a correlation between this betrayer (perhaps Ahithophel) and Judas. Da Vinci was famous for painting a dark, shifty eyed Judas in The Last Supper, but that is probably not at all accurate. I think Judas was likely the best looking of all the apostles; he was, after all, chosen to hold the purse strings for all. Apparently John alone knew (or suspected) that Judas stole money (John 12:6), but I think Judas must have looked honest and above board to most of the apostles.

This honesty that would be assumed about Judas must have made the betrayal all the more devilish (pun intended). So it was with David here. If it was Ahithophel, his counsel was most excellent and wise—David felt like he might just roll over and die if the Lord allowed him to counsel. So he prays: “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues”—exactly what happens in 2 Samuel 16 and 17.

In the case of the antichrist the betrayal will also be cruel for Israel will trust this man who has brought them peace, fragile though it is. Eventually his hatred of Israel will bring him to fight Israel, setting up the scenario for Armageddon. Something to think about! God refers to this 70th week of Daniel over and over; it is not something to be spiritualized away. Do not think that judgment deferred for the sake of grace is judgment forgotten. Jesus fully intends to be King over Israel and the whole world, and God’s word will come to pass in due time. On which side will you be in that day?