Wisdom Books Psalms

Seeking God in Betrayal

Discover Jesus as: King of Glory Psalms 54-56 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 416 of 730
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Teaching Notes

INTRO

Psalm 55 is another psalm of lament and was written for a choir with stringed instruments. It is based on David’s betrayal by a close friend (Psalm 55:12–14). In 2 Samuel 15, David’s son Absalom led a revolt against his father because he wanted to be king. It is possibly against this backdrop of Absalom’s rebellion and/or Ahithophel, David’s counselor who sided with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31) that David wrote Psalm 55 (vv. 20–21).1 David possibly recited 2 Samuel 15:31 in this psalm.

TEACHING

Psalm 55:1-8: MacArthur described verses 1–8 as “the prayer of distress.”2Nelson’sCommentarydescribes these verses as “a call for God to hear in the midst of the distress.”3 The prophet Nathan prophesied that David’s family would turn on him (2 Samuel 12:9–12). David begged God not to ignore his plea for help (Psalm 10:2; 13:1; 27:9; 44:24; 69:17; 143:7). David’s prayer expressed his distress over those who had become his enemies. Nelson’s Commentary states, “David’s shock is not that he is in distress again or even that he has more enemies. The great shock is that the enemy is his own friend.”4 The weight of betrayal caused David to be unable to sleep, and his heart shuddered in terror (vv. 2–4). He was overwhelmed by fear and horror at the betrayal and wanted to just fly away to safety (vv. 5–8).

Some of you listening to this today feel that desperate—you just want to get away from whatever is making you miserable. MacArthur describes David’s feelings as “escapist feelings.”5 Can’t we all relate to the desire to just get away from it all? Others in the Old Testament felt the same way (1 Kings 19; Jeremiah 9:2–6; 40:1–6). Instead of running, David turned to the Lord. We can too!

Psalm 55:9–15: MacArthur described verses 9–15 as “the prayer of justice.”6 David described the situation he faced—one of violence, strife, crime, trouble, destruction, oppression, and deceit in the city (vv. 9–11). Added to that was the betrayal of a friend-turned-enemy, which made what he was facing unbearable (vv. 12–13). Possibly what hurt the most was the friend-turned-enemy, who was the one he had worshiped with (v. 14). David asked for God’s justice against those who had come against him (v. 15).

Psalm 55:16–23: MacArthur described verses 16–23 as “the prayer of assurance.”7 David called the Lord to save him (v. 16). He knew with assurance that God heard his complaints and his groaning, and despite what he was facing, he knew God would redeem him (vv. 17–19). David pointed out the deceitful actions of his friend (vv. 20–21). Yet David knew he could give that burden to the Lord, and the Lord would sustain Him. God would take care of his enemies. Regardless, David would trust in the Lord (vv. 22–23).

CLOSING

As we close today, I want to compare David, the king of Israel, and Jesus, the King of Glory.

  • David was betrayed by his son, Absalom, and his counselor and friend, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:1-12); Jesus was betrayed by His disciple, Judas (Luke 22:47)
  • David crossed the Kidron Valley (2 Samuel 15:23); Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley (John 18:1).
  • David climbed down the Mount of Olives weeping (2 Samuel 13:30); Jesus wept on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39–44).
  • David was rejected by his own people (2 Samuel 15); Jesus was rejected by the Jews (Zechariah 14:4).

All this shows how Psalm 55 points to Jesus.

  1. John MacArthur, John MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 636.

  2. MacArthur, p. 636.

  3. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 684.

  4. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 684.

  5. MacArthur, p. 636.

  6. MacArthur, p. 636.

  7. MacArthur, p. 636.

Questions

  1. Do you think we have the right to ask God to destroy our enemies as David did in many of his psalms? (Psalm 54:5)
  2. David said in Psalm 54:7, “For He has delivered me from all trouble.” Can you say the same thing about your life? What’s the difference between being delivered from trouble and not having any trouble in your life?
  3. In Psalm 55:9–11, David talked about a city that was supposed to be holy being plagued by violence, strife, iniquity, mischief, destruction, oppression, and deceit. How often do we, as Christians, look for help from a sinful world when our trouble lies within our own church walls?
  4. In Psalm 55:12–14, David talked about how it was not the enemy who was causing him disappointment and hurt but rather the betrayal of his friends. This points to the Messiah and Judas. How much harder is it for you to forgive someone who is your friend as opposed to your enemy when they hurt you?
  5. What does Psalm 56:8 say about God’s love for you?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Psalms 54—56 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Psalm 56:9b

“This I know: God is for me.”

God is for you. The God of the universe, the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, He is for you. The Father God who sent His Son Jesus to earth to die for the sins of the world . . . yes, He is for you. He loves you. He holds your life in His hands.

You have nothing to fear. Nothing. Run to Jesus when you are afraid and trust Him. He is for you. God is your friend, your protector, and your deliver. He is always with you and will never leave you. He is for you. Today, hang on with hope to this one thing: God is for you. Repeat this until you believe it deep in your soul: God is for you. God is for you. God is for you. Now walk in this promise today—at school, at work, at home, or in your car. Even as you lay under the covers not wanting to get up, do the hard thing, get up, and remember—God is for you. Amen and amen.

“This I know: God is for me.”

— Psalm 56:9b

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 56:3–4 — “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
  • Psalm 56:13 — “For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.”
  • Romans 8:31 — “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”