Psalm 55 explained: Betrayed by a Close Friend

A plea not to be ignored (vv. 1-3)

The writer begs God to listen, because enemies are shouting threats and piling false charges on him. The heading names David, and some old readers link it to his son Absalom's revolt, but that link is a guess.

Wishing to fly away (vv. 4-8)

Terror grips him, and he longs for a dove's wings to escape to the empty desert. He is not dreaming of winning; he just wants shelter from the storm and a place to finally rest.

A city gone wrong (vv. 9-11)

He asks God to scramble the plotters' speech, likely echoing the old Babel story where God confused language to stop a scheme. Violence and strife patrol the city walls like guards, and lies fill the public squares where justice should be done.

The friend who turned (vv. 12-14)

An open enemy he could handle, but this attacker was a close friend who once walked beside him in the crowds going to worship. Christians have often read this as pointing ahead to Judas, the friend who betrayed Jesus.

Raw anger, steady prayer (vv. 15-19)

He asks that his enemies go down alive into Sheol, the realm of the dead, a harsh curse the psalm makes no effort to soften. Then he cries out evening, morning and noon, sure that God, who has ruled since ancient times, will humble those who have no fear of him.

Smooth words, hidden swords (vv. 20-23)

The friend broke a solemn promise; his words were soft as butter while war filled his heart. The psalm ends by urging the reader to hand their burden to the LORD, while trusting God to cut short the violent and the deceitful.

Key verse: Psalm 55:22

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on how to read the psalm's call for the enemies' death, some seeing it as honest anger rightly handed over to God and others as a way of praying that the teaching of Jesus moves beyond.

Something to think about

When someone close lets you down, why does it hurt so differently from harm done by a stranger?