Psalm 55
To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments.[a] A Contemplation[b] of David.
– I did a little research online to find out about this “contemplation” business. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but it gave the Hebrew word ‘maschil’, so I looked it up and found it to mean ‘understanding or wisdom’. Funny that our definition of contemplation is:
-Contemplation comes from the latin root templum (from Greek temnein: to cut or divide), and means to separate something from its environment, and to enclose it in a sector. Contemplation is the Latin translation of Greek 'theory' (theoria)
- In a religious sense, the practice of meditation on spiritual matters.

The Hebrew word suggests that this is wisdom or understanding, yet based on our definition it means really to ponder, meditate, and separate (perhaps) truth from fiction… I think that might someday be something to really expand on and research, but for now I will assume it should really just be… “Communication from David to God” because all the Psalms seem to be that way, David’s worship/communications with God.

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

This shows David crying out to God… his first request is almost begging – that God will listen and hear him. When we pray to God, our sometimes unmentioned first request is the same – that He listens to us. Otherwise, why would we pray, right? It is important for us to remember that in our right relationship with Him, and often times when we aren’t in right relationship… He hears us. Our initial request – that He hears us and listens – is always answered. Perhaps His answers come differently than we want them to, but He hears and He answers. Even no answer is an answer…
Garth Brooks says in one of his songs… “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. Remember when youre talkin to the man upstairs, That just because he doesnt answer doesnt mean he dont care. Some of gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”
The interesting thing here… I think it’s very wrong. I think what’s missed here (of course, being secular music) is that even NO answer is an answer… it is just often an answer of NO.
NO answer = an answer of NO. But it is important to remember, that He always hears, listens, and answers. Are we listening for his answer like David did?

2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

It was important for me to recognize that David used the word ‘complaint’ in this verse. I had to sit there and ask myself – David complained??? And he did. He cried out to God and told him the issue, which usually takes the form of complaint. God doesn’t answer him and say it’s wrong to complain. I think complaint somewhere lost it’s meaning, lost the translation. In David’s complaint, he is informing God of the problem, and why it’s a problem. He’s not wallowing in self-pity, and he’s not spending this whole time speaking with God in complaints about what’s wrong. He explains it, and he moves on. Notice the last verse: 23 “But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;But I will trust in You.”
Even though he was upset, and he cried out to God, sharing his complaint, he still showed faith and trust in God… it didn’t matter what his enemy (or friend in this case) had done to him, he still turned it over to God, and he ends the chapter there… why? Why end there? Because no matter what, it is only important that we truly trust Him, and David says in what I believe to be his message to us… “here, remember what I’m saying here, see that although these bad things are going on and I’m not afraid to complain, I still trust my LORD…”

3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked;For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.
6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah
8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
11 Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me.

David shows confidence and faith and resolve. He knows that God – YAHWEH – will save him. No matter how bad the situation was… and this was obviously hard for him… we still need to show faith in Him like David did.

17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.

David recognizes the answer to his first request – God will hear him. David knows it, and reiterates it because he has resolve and confidence that his LORD will hear him. We need this resolve!

18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.

Peace! God gave David peace even through the battle that WAS against him. Why ‘WAS’? Because God worked through David to work through the battle. The battle never lasts forever. God will walk us through it, and He will give us PEACE!

19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.
20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant.

David’s friend betrayed him. His friend worked to destroy David’s peace. The enemy tries to break down our peace in Jesus. He tries to take our focus off of Him and put it on the things around us, the troubles, the hardships. But where we lack peace, we can cry out to Him and He will give it back (see verse 18 to refresh!) to us and see us through.

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

David’s friend spoke words appealing while war was in his heart. His words were soft, but were as sharp weapons of destruction. We can’t just believe what we see (a ‘friend’) or hear (‘sweet words’) because what is in the man’s heart is what matters. This shows yet again why it is SO important for us to be led by the Spirit, because the Spirit can reveal when there is danger.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

When we cast our cares, our burden, on Him, He will provide us with everything we need to hold us over until the storm has passed. To sustain means to “hold: be the physical support of; carry the weight of”. He will provide for us, hold us up, until the trial has passed. If we are righteous, He will not let us be moved. Our feet, shod in the preparation of the Gospel of peace, shall not run, but will stand confident, firm, protected.

23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.

David was confident in God and His abilities. It wasn’t ‘Oh God would you mind please doing me this one little favor?’. It was assured, confident, knowing. David knew God, what He was capable of, what He would do. It is so important for us to know our God like David knew Him…
David speaks of God’s power… that He can destroy the wicked, and then says that he trusts the Lord. Trust… David knows that although God has ultimate power and could destroy even him at any time, He will act to bring glory to Himself. He will act out of love, righteousness, and justness.

"When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart
I will dance like David danced

When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart
I will pray like David prayed

When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart
I will sing like David sang"