Psalm 55:6-8

It is difficult to conceive that the warrior King was now talking in terms of fear and trembling (v.5). He was the same one when in his prime had slain Goliath, the fearsome giant, champion of the Philistines. When everyone was afraid and ran away, he boldly stood and fearlessly challenged the foe. He had also courageously slain a lion and a bear when they dared come after his flock but now, he was talking about his heart being pained within him and being overwhelmed with horror (Psalm 55: 4,5). Life changes! It changes for every single one of us! After one day comes the next. The warrior King was now tired and afraid. He was now hunted down by his treacherous son, Absalom, and betrayed by his trusted friend Ahithophel.

He felt abandoned by God (v.1) and abused by men (v.3). He longed for peace and rest – to escape the turmoil and turbulence that had now erupted in his kingdom. His desire to go away and be at rest resonates with great force to the minds of his readers. It is startlingly refreshing honest he is, expressing exactly how he truly feels at this point in his life. He declares “And I said Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest. Lo then I would wander far off and remain in the wilderness” (vv. 6,7).

It must also be noted here that there was a time when David probably would not have fled, especially in his younger days. Now he was no longer able to go in and out as before to do battle. In younger years he probably would have ferociously and vigorously maintained his position. However, at this time, he found it appropriate to flee. Life changes!

David’s further reflection on this most taxing time of his life is most revealing and noteworthy. He painstakingly discloses “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: But it was thou, a man, mine equal, My guide, and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked into the house of God in company” (55:12,13). Admittedly, there is no greater pain than that which comes from betrayal from immediate family and trusted loved ones. It hurts to the core! Brethren should proactively defend one another, not hate and devour one another. We are family! We do not slaughter, slander and kill one another. We carry each other. We stand by one another. This Psalm is more than a song, it is a sermon!

It more than implies that life is filled with all sorts of transitions, but David finds one Being – true, absolute, eternal, constant and faithful, and to Him David makes his complaints and supplications. “When all around his soul gives way….” “When sorrows like sea billows roll…!” When he saw the “… lightning flashing and heard the thunder roll and he felt sin breakers dashing, trying to conquer his soul…” David looked up and declared “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me” (v.16). When in his younger years he faced Goliath, he trusted the Lord, now in his older years as he confronted the ugly rebellion of his own son, he also saw the wisdom in trusting the Lord.

He concludes, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (v.22). As life changes and as we grow older and things happen that have never happened before – what a beautiful, enduring consolation and encouragement we have. We are encouraged to cast our burdens, all our burdens, upon the Lord! We affirm life changes, but He does not! We are reminded that all David ‘s enemies and detractors were destroyed (v.23). However, the Psalm ends with these most uplifting words “…But I will trust in the Lord” (v.23), even so the more as we grow older and life changes.