S3E127 – Psalms 54-56: Say It Isn’t So

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Psalms 54-56, and I’m calling the episode “Say It Isn’t So.”

Comments on Psalms 54-56

Introduction to Psalm 54

The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, ‘Is David not hiding with us?’”

The Ziphites betrayed David to Saul twice. We read about these betrayals in 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26. On both occasions, David was able to escape. This psalm probably refers to the episode in 1 Samuel 23. 

Very few psalms give specific musical instructions like this one, which says, “With stringed instruments.” And the Hebrew word for Contemplation (maskil) might be better translated as Instruction.

Introduction to Psalm 55

The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.” There was a time in David’s life when one of his sons, Absalom, tried to overthrow David as king. During this rebellion one of David’s most trusted men, Ahithophel, sided with Absalom. This psalm seems to have been written during this period of David’s life. However, in verse 15 David calls to God to send his enemies to Sheol (another word for Hell), when we know from other scriptures that David did not want harm to come to Absalom. So it is possible that this psalm is about another time in David’s life that we do not have record of.

Introduction to Psalm 56

The title of this psalm is “To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.’ A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.”

“Set to ‘The Silent Dove in Distant Lands” is probably an instruction to sing this psalm to the tune of a song that was known at the time.

Scholars do not know the precise meaning of the word michtam. It is possible that it refers to something made of gold, so in connection with a psalm, a michtam might be something so precious that it was to be engraved in gold. 

We read of David’s capture by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. This was a difficult time for him when he was afraid and alone. He didn’t know if he would survive.

Comments on Psalm 55

A psalm of David in which he has been greatly hurt by his enemies, especially one who had been a trusted friend and ally. 

12 I would be able to take it if one who hates me were putting me to shame. I could hide from him. It is not one who hates me who has put himself up against me. 13 But it is you, a man like myself, one who has gone with me, my close friend. 14 We shared together. And we walked with the people in the house of God.

This person is not identified, but it seems more than likely that it is Ahithophel, who was a trusted counselor to David. During Absalom’s revolt against his father, Ahithophel deserted David and supported Absalom.

Not only did David have to deal with the heartbreak of his own son turning against him, but that of one who gave him counsel, helped him, and knew his idiosyncrasies, strengths and weaknesses. 

20 He goes against those who were at peace with him. He has broken his agreement. 21 What he says is smoother than butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are raised swords.

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Someone you trusted? It’s a heartbreak unlike any other. But such is the condition of the human heart. Who can trust it?

The first time it happened to me was when I was a young teenager, maybe 12 or 13 years old. I don’t remember my exact age, but a friend of mine who lived a few doors down from me, someone whom I had been friends with since about the fourth or fifth grade, broke into our garage when my family and I were out of town on a vacation. When we got home, I found that the tires on my minibike had been stolen. As it turned out, it was this friend and some other boys who had done the deed. I couldn’t believe it. I was crushed, and it took a long time to get over it. I couldn’t trust him. I’ve forgiven him in the intervening years, but we never spoke again.  

But David knows who can be trusted:

22 Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken.

Yes, the betrayal of a friend cuts deep, but we do have Someone who will never let us down.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 54 NET; Ch. 55 NLV; Ch. 56 ESV

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