Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 55
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 55
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 55
"Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan, Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me. My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest." — Psalms 55:1-8 (ASV)
In these verses we have:
David praying. Prayer is a salve for every sore, and a relief to the spirit under every burden.
David weeping. Griefs are in this way, in some measure, lessened, while those that are not given an outlet increase.
David was in great alarm. We may well suppose him to be so, at the outbreak of Absalom's conspiracy and the falling away of the people. Horror overwhelmed him. Probably the remembrance of his sin in the matter of Uriah added much to the terror. When we have a guilty conscience, we must mourn in our complaint, and even strong believers have for a time been filled with horror.
But no one was ever so overwhelmed as the holy Jesus, when it pleased the Lord to put him to grief and to make his soul an offering for our sins. In his agony he prayed more earnestly, and was heard and delivered. Trusting in him and following him, we will be supported under, and carried through all trials.
See how David was weary of the treachery and ingratitude of men, and the cares and disappointments of his high station: he longed to hide himself in some desert from the fury and fickleness of his people.
He did not aim for victory, but for rest; a barren wilderness, so that he could be quiet. The wisest and best of people most earnestly desire peace and quietness, and even more so when vexed and wearied by noise and clamor. This makes death desirable to a child of God, for it is a final escape from all the storms and tempests of this world, to perfect and everlasting rest.
"Destroy, O Lord, [and] divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression and guile depart not from its streets. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together; We walked in the house of God with the throng. Let death come suddenly upon them, Let them go down alive into Sheol; For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them." — Psalms 55:9-15 (ASV)
No wickedness causes the believer so much distress as what he witnesses in those who profess to be part of the church of God. Let us not be surprised at the corruptions and disorders of the church on earth, but long to see the New Jerusalem.
He complains of one who had been very active against him. God often destroys the enemies of the church by dividing them. And an interest divided against itself cannot stand for long.
The true Christian must expect trials from professed friends, from those with whom he has been united. This will be very painful; but by looking to Jesus, we will be enabled to bear it.
Christ was betrayed by a companion, a disciple, an apostle, who resembled Ahithophel in his crimes and doom. Both were speedily overtaken by Divine vengeance. And this prayer is a prophecy of the utter, the everlasting ruin, of all who oppose and rebel against the Messiah.
"As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me. Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice. He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many [that strove] with me. God will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, Selah [The men] who have no changes, And who fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant. His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee. " — Psalms 55:16-23 (ASV)
In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and He will save us. He will hear us and not blame us for coming too often; the more often, the more welcome. David had thought all were against him, but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and he gives the glory for this to God, for it is He who raises up friends for us and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends, than they suppose in their gloomy hours.
His enemies will be reckoned with and brought down; they could not alleviate their fears as David could, by faith in God. Mortal men, however high and strong, will easily be crushed by an eternal God. Those who are not reclaimed by the rod of affliction will certainly be brought down to the pit of destruction. The burden of afflictions is very heavy, especially when accompanied by the temptations of Satan; there is also the burden of sin and corruption.
The only relief from it is to look to Christ, who bore it. Whatever it is that you desire God to give you, leave it to Him to give it in His own way and time. Care is a burden; it makes the heart stoop. We must commit our ways and works to the Lord; let Him do as seems good to Him, and let us be satisfied.
To cast our burden upon God is to rest upon His providence and promise. And if we do so, He will carry us in the arms of His power, as a nurse carries a child; and He will strengthen our spirits by His Spirit, so that they will sustain the trial. He will never permit the righteous to be moved—to be so shaken by any troubles that they quit their duty to God or their comfort in Him.
He will not permit them to be utterly cast down. He, who bore the burden of our sorrows, desires us to leave the burden of our cares to Him to bear, so that, since He knows what is best for us, He may provide accordingly. Why do we not trust Christ to govern the world which He redeemed?
Jump to: