Psalms 55:1-23

This is the outcry of a man of faith in sore peril. The emotional nature is moved to its very center, and tides of deep feeling surge through his soul. He has been cruelly betrayed by his familiar friend, who would seem to have headed a conspiracy against him. It is really a revelation of how fellowship with God leads ultimately to the victory of faith.

Three movements are manifest. The first is fear. Appeal is made to God out of a consciousness of fearfulness, trembling, horror. So terrible is this fear that the man fain would fly away and escape it all (verses Psa 55:1-8). The troubled heart then breaks forth into fury. So mean is the method of the foe that the anger of the man is aroused, and he cries for vengeance against the oppressor (verses Psa 55:9-15). He then appeals to God, and at once declares that he is delivered. The wrong of the wicked is no less, but, calmly stated in the light of God, it is a burden to be cast on Him, and the conviction that He will deliver is created. Fear leads only to desire to flee. Fury only emphasizes the consciousness of wrong. Faith alone creates courage.