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NASB | Psalm 55:20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 55:20 He [my companion] has put out his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant [of friendship and loyalty]. |
Bible Question:
The Psalms so often cut to the heart. This one (55 -- read the whole thing) brings up specific memories for me -- but also raises a difficult question. The Psalm describes betrayal by a close friend -- this is the part I can relate to clearly. The resolution offered by the text, however, is not reconcilliation or forgiveness -- but to hand the treacherous friend over to God's punishment. I yearn for reconciliation -- and understand Christ-like friendship to include the way of forgiveness and suffering. How then should I understand this Psalm? Are there other texts I should look at? |
Bible Answer: Just Read Mark, I answer in part, as the whole context would take too much space: David prays for God’s help in a time of trouble. We are not given in this psalm, or in the inscription, the occasion that prompted these prayers, but we know that at the root of the trouble was the betrayal of a close friend. This would suggest that the occasion of the psalm was when David’s trusted counsellor, Ahithophel, betrayed David and joined with Absalom, David’s own son, in rebellion (see II Sam. 15:12). When we encounter passages in the Bible about betrayal, we should pay special attention, for there is a great possibility that the passages contain a prophetic reference to Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, since "the volume of the book" is about our Lord Jesus Christ. David is convinced of the bloodguiltiness of his foes, their treachery amplified by their feigned friendship: "My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords" (vss. 20-21). The contrast between David’s own righteous behavior in the situation versus the wickedness of his foes convinces David that God will take his part: "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in You" (vss. 22-23). Oh, praise be to God that we can "cast our cares on the Lord." May we ever fervently seek Him in times of trouble. May we walk in His ways, and not be corrupted by the sins of the wicked who battle against us, so that in righteousness we can seek His help, and trust in Him for deliverance! God bless |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Ps 55:20 | Author | ||
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Just Read Mark | ||
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inmyheart | ||
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gracefull |