“A PSALMIST’S CRY OF DELIVERANCE” PSALM 55:1-23

The superscription of this psalm reads, “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?” This psalm, written by David, reveals that David is in deep distress because the Ziphims had betrayed him. The background for this psalm is found in I Samuel 23. The life of David was filled with moments of betrayal: he was betrayed by Doeg in Psalm 52 (I Samuel 21-22); he was betrayed by Ahithophel in Psalm 55; and now he is being betrayed by the Ziphites (I Samuel 23:19).

In the midst of being betrayed, David cries out vehemently to the Lord in verses 1-2 as he says, “Save me O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength, Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.” David cries out to the Lord, because the Ziphites had told Saul where David was hiding. They had truly betrayed David. Can’t you feel the urgency of David’s appeal to God, having been betrayed? David petitions the Lord to deliver him based on the name of God – His nature, character. In the midst of his distress, David calls upon the name of God, the only One who is able to help him in his distress. David cites the reason for petitioning the Lord, for verse 3 says, “For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them.”

These vile and vicious men’s aim was to destroy David; in addition, they had no regard for God. Although David felt the sting of being betrayed, in verses 4-7 he recognizes that the Lord will be his support. Because of his firm trust in the Lord, David knew that the Lord would judge his enemies – “He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth” (v. 5). With supreme confidence in God’s deliverance, David affirms to praise the Lord in verses 6-7, with a free will offering as an act of God’s deliverance. He states, “I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good” (v. 6).

Having read this beautiful psalm, I would like to testify and thank the Lord for delivering me from so many perils in life, and I love Him for that. I join the psalmist in Psalm 116:1-5 as he says, “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.”

May God Bless!