Psa 55:21 | KingComments | STEP | In contrast to what David wishes in for his betrayers, people who turn against God and His godly ones, he will cry out to God ( ). His adversaries go down to Sheol. For himself he expresses the assurance that “the LORD”, Yahweh, will save him. He goes to God “evening and morning and at noon” to complain and murmur ( ; cf. ). It indicates that he is constantly calling upon God ( ). He prays, so to speak, ‘around the clock’. That he mentions the evening first is because in Israel the day usually begins on the evening of the previous day ( ). He is confident that God will hear his voice. In confidence of faith, David expresses that God will redeem his “soul in peace from the battle” which is against him ( ). To his mind, redemption has already taken place. The battle is over. The many who were against him are no longer fighting against him. The peace that he has lost because of his friend’s betrayal and the opposition of many has returned to his soul now that he has entrusted everything to God. He knows that “God will hear and answer them” ( ). After all, God is the One “who sits enthroned from of old”. David’s enemies can drive him from his throne, but it is impossible to drive God from the throne. God sits on the throne and governs everything. His government is for the benefit of His own and means judgment for the wicked. The wicked are judged because with them “there is no change” and they “do not fear God”. God speaks to man several times to turn him from his path of error ( ). But if they remain unchanging in their way of life and go their own way, He will humble them. Their reliance on their own strength and ability proves that they do not fear God, that they do not have any respect for Him. That they do not change and do not fear God, they show by putting their hands forth “against those who were at peace with him” ( ). Once again David refers to the faithless actions of his companion and familiar friend. That one had taken advantage of him by seeking his misfortune, while David was at peace with him. By that treacherous action he violated the covenant of friendship. The betrayal is the betrayal of the mouth ( ). His speech was “smoother than butter” (cf. ; ). He is a slippery hypocrite, someone you cannot depend on at all, whose words have no value. The buttery smoothness of his mouth camouflages his heart that is out for battle ( ). His heart is brimming with plans to fight his friend. The words that come out of his mouth “are softer than oil” (cf. ). Oil is meant to relieve pain ( ). His words, however, do not relieve pain, but cause pain, for “they were drawn swords”. His sweet talk is life-threatening, for he is out to cause death and destruction.

‏ Psalms 55:21

God Will Hear

In contrast to what David wishes in Psa 55:15 for his betrayers, people who turn against God and His godly ones, he will cry out to God (Psa 55:16). His adversaries go down to Sheol. For himself he expresses the assurance that “the LORD”, Yahweh, will save him.

He goes to God “evening and morning and at noon” to complain and murmur (Psa 55:17; cf. Dan 6:11). It indicates that he is constantly calling upon God (1Thes 5:17). He prays, so to speak, ‘around the clock’. That he mentions the evening first is because in Israel the day usually begins on the evening of the previous day (Lev 23:32). He is confident that God will hear his voice.

In confidence of faith, David expresses that God will redeem his “soul in peace from the battle” which is against him (Psa 55:18). To his mind, redemption has already taken place. The battle is over. The many who were against him are no longer fighting against him. The peace that he has lost because of his friend’s betrayal and the opposition of many has returned to his soul now that he has entrusted everything to God.

He knows that “God will hear and answer them” (Psa 55:19). After all, God is the One “who sits enthroned from of old”. David’s enemies can drive him from his throne, but it is impossible to drive God from the throne. God sits on the throne and governs everything. His government is for the benefit of His own and means judgment for the wicked.

The wicked are judged because with them “there is no change” and they “do not fear God”. God speaks to man several times to turn him from his path of error (Job 33:14-17). But if they remain unchanging in their way of life and go their own way, He will humble them. Their reliance on their own strength and ability proves that they do not fear God, that they do not have any respect for Him.

That they do not change and do not fear God, they show by putting their hands forth “against those who were at peace with him” (Psa 55:20). Once again David refers to the faithless actions of his companion and familiar friend. That one had taken advantage of him by seeking his misfortune, while David was at peace with him. By that treacherous action he violated the covenant of friendship.

The betrayal is the betrayal of the mouth (Psa 55:21). His speech was “smoother than butter” (cf. Pro 16:28; Jer 9:4-5). He is a slippery hypocrite, someone you cannot depend on at all, whose words have no value. The buttery smoothness of his mouth camouflages his heart that is out for battle (Jer 9:8). His heart is brimming with plans to fight his friend.

The words that come out of his mouth “are softer than oil” (cf. Pro 5:3). Oil is meant to relieve pain (Isa 1:6). His words, however, do not relieve pain, but cause pain, for “they were drawn swords”. His sweet talk is life-threatening, for he is out to cause death and destruction.