Book of Psalms Psalms 54-55

Transcription

1 Psalm 54 Trusting God in Our Troubles Book of Psalms Psalms Classification: This is a maschil, a psalm of instruction. It is addressed to the chief musician or music minister. Background: The historical background for this psalm is when the Ziphites offered to betray David into the hands of King Saul (1 Sam. 23:19-24). The Ziphites were men from David s own tribe of Judah. Theme: We have confidence in the Lord in spite of bad circumstances. This psalm is a prayer for deliverance and confession of confidence in God. John MacArthur commented: The psalm provides encouragement to any believer who has been maligned. 1. David s prayer (vs. 1-2) A. Save me God s name stands for His character or attributes. B. Vindicate me He asked for God to provide justice. He wanted God to clear him of personal guilt and prove his innocence of alleged wrongdoing against King Saul. C. Hear me He wanted God not only to hear his prayer, but also to answer it. 2. David s problem (vs. 3) A. His enemies fight against him Strangers and oppressors were either non-jewish people or apostate Jews who had forsaken God and His people. B. His enemies forget about God They had no regard for God and therefore no respect for David as God s anointed king. 3. David s peace (vs. 4-5) A. God is reliable God is often described as our helper in the Psalms. Psalms 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalms 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Psalms 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalms 94:17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. B. God is righteous Since God knows all things, He is able to bring perfect justice and punishment to all evil people. 4. David s promise (vs. 6-7)

2 A. He will sacrifice This is a freewill offering given to God over and above the required sacrifices. B. He will sing David will praise God s name because it is good (see Ex. 33:19, where God s goodness is a synonym for His character and attributes). Sacrifice and praise are united as in Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. David spoke of his deliverance in the past tense as if it were already done. He was confident that the Lord would see him through all his troubles. Psalm 55 A False Friend and a Faithful God Classification: This is also a maschil, a psalm of instruction. We can learn valuable lessons when someone hurts us. It is addressed to the chief musician or music minister. Background: The historical background is not specifically stated, but this psalm likely comes from the time of Absalom s rebellion when David s counselor Ahithophel betrayed him (2 Sam ). This psalm has the same background as Psalm 41. Theme: David has been hurt by his unfaithful friend, but he is helped by his faithful God. This psalm is for anyone who has been stabbed in the back by a trusted friend. 1. David s anguish (vs. 1-8) A. His foes (vs. 1-3) There is a conspiracy against David. They hate him, speak against him, and they try to hurt (oppress) him. Cast iniquity upon me (vs. 3) pictures something tipping over and crashing down on its victim. B. His fears (vs. 4-5) David was not a coward, but he was human enough to be afraid of what he might have to face in the future. C. His flight (vs. 6-8) David just wants to escape. Sometimes that seems like the best solution, but it is not a realistic option. David felt it would be better to escape from people problems in the palace and live in the wilderness. 2. David s anger (vs. 9-15) A. His enemies invade the city (vs. 9-11) David refers to the evil actions of the people who rebelled with Absalom in the capital city of Jerusalem. He asks God to disrupt their evil words. He may have had in mind what God did at the tower of Babel when he confused languages and overthrew their rebellion (Gen. 11:5-9). B. His enemies include his companion (vs , 20-21) These verses describe the bitter deception of David s counselor, Ahithophel. C. His enemies deserve judgment (vs. 15) David wants God to punish his enemies. David understood that vengeance belongs to God, so he never took matters into his own hands. He may have had Korah s rebellion and judgment in mind (Num. 16:30-34).

3 3. David s assurance (vs ) A. God saves (vs. 16) David knew that God was his security. B. God hears (vs. 17) Since their day began at sundown, Jews commonly referred to evening, morning, and noon as we would speak of morning, noon, and night. C. God delivers (vs. 18) David had many opponents. D. God afflicts (vs ) David s enemies were set in their ways and felt secure because their situation had not changed. E. God sustains (vs. 22) This is the key verse in the psalm. David knew that God is always faithful, even when people are not. Burden means any circumstance, lot, or situation in which we find ourselves. When we trust fully in the Lord, we will not be moved (shaken) off our foundation by the uncertain and unpleasant things of life. F. God destroys (vs. 23) Both Absalom and Ahithophel suffered tragic deaths. Absalom was murdered while suspended from a tree and Ahithophel committed suicide. It is infinitely better to have the whole world for our enemies and God for our friend, than to have the whole world for our friends and God for our enemy. John Brown

4 Psalm 54 Trusting God in Our Troubles Book of Psalms Psalms Classification: This is a maschil, a psalm of instruction. It is addressed to the chief musician or music minister. Background: The historical background for this psalm is when the Ziphites offered to betray David into the hands of King Saul (1 Sam. 23:19-24). The Ziphites were men from David s own tribe of Judah. Theme: We have confidence in the Lord in spite of bad circumstances. This psalm is a prayer for deliverance and confession of confidence in God. John MacArthur commented: The psalm provides encouragement to any believer who has been maligned. 1. David s (vs. 1-2) A. me God s name stands for His character or attributes. B. me He asked for God to provide justice. C. me He wanted God not only to hear his prayer, but also to answer it. 2. David s (vs. 3) A. His enemies B. His enemies 3. David s (vs. 4-5) A. God is Psalms 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalms 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Psalms 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalms 94:17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. B. God is Since God knows all things, He is able to bring perfect justice and punishment to all evil people. 4. David s (vs. 6-7) A. He will This is a freewill offering given to God over and above the required sacrifices.

5 B. He will David will praise God s name because it is good (in Ex. 33:19, God s goodness is a synonym for His character and attributes). Psalm 55 A False Friend and a Faithful God Classification: This is also a maschil, a psalm of instruction. We can learn valuable lessons when someone hurts us. It is addressed to the chief musician or music minister. Background: The historical background is not specifically stated, but this psalm likely comes from the time of Absalom s rebellion when David s counselor Ahithophel betrayed him (2 Sam ). This psalm has the same background as Psalm 41. Theme: David has been hurt by his unfaithful friend, but he is helped by his faithful God. 1. David s (vs. 1-8) A. His (vs. 1-3) There is a conspiracy against David. B. His (vs. 4-5) David was not a coward, but he was human enough to be afraid of what he might have to face in the future. C. His (vs. 6-8) David felt it would be better to escape from people problems in the palace and live in the wilderness. 2. David s (vs. 9-15) A. His enemies (vs. 9-11) B. His enemies (vs , 20-21) C. His enemies (vs. 15) He may have had Korah s rebellion and judgment in mind (Num. 16:30-34). 3. David s (vs ) A. God (vs. 16) David knew that God was his security. B. God (vs. 17) Jews commonly referred to evening, morning, and noon as we would speak of morning, noon, and night. C. God (vs. 18) David had many opponents. D. God (vs ) David s enemies were set in their ways and felt secure because their situation had not changed. E. God (vs. 22) This is the key verse in the psalm. F. God (vs. 23) Both Absalom and Ahithophel suffered tragic deaths. It is infinitely better to have the whole world for our enemies and God for our friend, than to have the whole world for our friends and God for our enemy. John Brown