Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 55

Click here to read PSALM 55 in poetic form.

Background

This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. Psalm 55 is separated into three sections, each separated with the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term. It has a closing subscript “To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim,” which means “a dove flying through faraway Terebinth trees.” This could refer to David’s many wanderings through the wilderness, fleeing from his enemies. Compare verses 6 and 7 of this Psalm: “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.”

Structure

(Verses 1,2) Prayer from David to God for help

(Verse 3) Oppressors who are wicked, deceitful, and hateful

(Verses 4-7) David’s response: fear and desire to flee

Pause

(Verses 7-15) David’s enemies rewarded for their evil

(Verses 16-19) Praise to God for His help over David’s enemies

Pause

(Verses 19-21) Oppressors who are wicked, deceitful, and hateful

(Verses 22,23) Praise to God for His help over David’s enemies

Key Scriptures

Verses 12-14—“For it was not an enemy that reproached me” “a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance” “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” Could this refer to Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of the Messiah. Jesus Christ did speak of Judas’s demise in Matthew 26:24:  “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Verse 17—“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Like his ancestor David, Jesus Christ was a man of prayer. (Matthew 6:9; 14:23; 19:13; 26:36,39,42,44; Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:32,35,39; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28,29; 11:1; 22:41,44).

Verse 22—“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” This quoted in I Peter 5:7 as “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” This is true for us when we, like the Messiah, humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, soberly and vigilantly resist the Devil, and rely upon God’s grace (I Peter 5:6-10).

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.