For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David.
David wrote this song for the music director of the Levitical choir. The song was to be accompanied with a stringed orchestra. The Levites would sing these songs at the feasts of Israel.
55:1 Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!
David asked God to listen to his prayer. He was in trouble. He appealed to God to show mercy towards him.
55:2 Pay attention to me and answer me! I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself, 55:3 because of what the enemy says, and because of how the wicked pressure me, for they hurl trouble down upon me and angrily attack me.
David asked God to pay attention to his prayer. He asked God to answer his prayer. He was very upset at his present situation.
The reason that David was upset was because one of his enemies had slandered him. These words placed evil pressure upon David. These words hurled trouble upon David. These words angrily attacked David.
The name of the enemy is not mentioned in this song. Many commentators believe it was Ahithophel, but this is not for certain. Ahithophel was a wise counselor and good friend of David. He betrayed David, switched sides, and gave wise counsel to David’s son Absalom. However, Absalom did not listen to him, so Ahithophel killed himself.
55:4 My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me.
The words of David’s enemies placed him in death’s way.
55:5 Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me.
The words of David’s enemy caused him to panic with fear.
55:6 I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
David wished that he had wings like a dove so that he could fly away from this dangerous situation.
55:7 Look, I will escape to a distant place; I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
David wanted to escape from his enemies by hiding in the wilderness. David was a shepherd as a boy, so he knew the wilderness terrain better than his enemies.
55:8 I will hurry off to a place that is safe from the strong wind and the gale.”
The “strong wind and the gale” were the enemies of the satanic world system which were coming against David. David wanted to hurry and escape to a place in the wilderness.
55:9 Confuse them, O Lord! Frustrate their plans! For I see violence and conflict in the city.
David asked Jehovah to confuse the plans of his enemies. David had enough insight to understand that there would be violence and conflict in Jerusalem.
55:10 Day and night they walk around on its walls, while wickedness and destruction are within it.
The enemies of David were walking around on the walls of Jerusalem. There was much wickedness and destruction occurring in the city.
55:11 Disaster is within it; violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
Jerusalem was filled with violence and deceit, even in its public square.
55:12 Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me, or else I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, or else I could hide from him.
David was not concerned if an enemy insulted him, hated him, or taunted him. David could hide in the wilderness from such an enemy.
55:13 But it is you, a man like me, my close friend in whom I confided.
David was betrayed by one of his closest friends.
55:14 We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.
David had confided many deep secrets and personal thoughts with this friend who betrayed him.
55:15 May death destroy them! May they go down alive into Sheol! For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
David asked that death would destroy this dangerous new enemy.
55:16 As for me, I will call out to God, and the Lord will deliver me.
David will ask God to deliver him from this dangerous new enemy.
55:17 During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan, and he will hear me.
David would pray all day and night long, hoping that God will grant his request.
18 He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me, even though they greatly outnumber me.
David was greatly outnumbered, but he knew that God would rescue him.
55:19 God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago, will hear and humiliate them. (Selah) They refuse to change, and do not fear God.
God is the King of eternity. He will hear David’s prayer. He will humiliate David’s enemies. David asked the congregation to meditate and think about this Biblical doctrine. These enemies of David refused to change their evil ways. They were men who did not fear God. Instead, they feared man.
55:20 He attacks his friends; he breaks his solemn promises to them.
David’s enemy attacked his friends by making false promises to them.
55:21 His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.
The words of David’s enemy were as smooth as butter, but his heart was wicked. The words of David’s enemy were softer than oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
55:22 Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.
David commanded the congregation to throw their burdens upon Jehovah. Jehovah will be able to sustain them through their difficulties. He will not allow the godly ones to be upended by their godless enemies. Good will win in the end.
55:23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit.
Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I trust in you.
God will send unbelievers to the Lake of Fire forever. Physically, they will not live out their normal lifespan. Many godless killers lived very short lives.