Bible Study ~ Psalms 55 ~ If ever there was a Psalm for anxious people, this is it. It is attributed to David at a time when he had been betrayed (vs 12–14,20,21). He expresses with utter frankness what many of us have experienced. He is ‘distraught’ (v 2), ‘in anguish’ (v 4) and ‘overwhelmed’ with horror (v 5). EM Blaiklock says that there ‘are few Psalms more painful’ (EM Blaiklock, Psalms for Living, SU, 1977, p126). Yet in this situation he can still – or, perhaps, only – pray (v 1). An obvious, even instinctive, solution is to get away. The ‘fight or flight’ instinct is very powerful and physical, and is at work here. ‘Fear and trembling’ have hit him (v 5), but if he were a dove he would fly away (v 6), not a response he had always advocated (Psalm 11:1). The angelic choir boy sweetly singing Mendelssohn’s ‘O for the wings of a dove’ hardly reflects the terrified David. What sort of music really would fit? Of course, in David’s desperation the dove is only the means of escape, not the solution. Much more attractive is the place to which he would be taken (vs 7,8). What we want in a storm is shelter. Escaping doesn’t solve the problem, it just moves it elsewhere. Instead of escaping, David prays. He prays honestly and says exactly how he feels (vs 9,15,19). We must never think that God cannot cope with our anger. In fact honest outpouring to God of our feelings is therapeutic. David also prays persistently – evening, morning, noon (v 17). Hard times do far more for our prayer relationship with God than easy times ever do. So when we cast (a forceful word) our cares on the Lord in prayer we have the assurance of his strong support (v 22). When all is said and done, David says, ‘I trust in you.’ Once again, he has learnt the lesson. If ever there was a psalm for anxious people, this is it. It is attributed to David at a time when he had been betrayed (vs 12–14,20,21). He expresses with utter frankness what many of us have experienced. He is ‘distraught’ (v 2), ‘in anguish’ (v 4) and ‘overwhelmed’ with horror (v 5). EM Blaiklock says that there ‘are few psalms more painful’ (EM Blaiklock, Psalms for Living, SU, 1977, p126). Yet in this situation he can still – or, perhaps, only – pray (v 1).An obvious, even instinctive, solution is to get away. The ‘fight or flight’ instinct is very powerful and physical, and is at work here. ‘Fear and trembling’ have hit him (v 5), but if he were a dove he would fly away (v 6), not a response he had always advocated (Psalms 11:1). The angelic choir boy sweetly singing Mendelssohn’s ‘O for the wings of a dove’ hardly reflects the terrified David. What sort of music really would fit? Of course, in David’s desperation the dove is only the means of escape, not the solution. Much more attractive is the place to which he would be taken (vs 7,8). What we want in a storm is shelter. Escaping doesn’t solve the problem, it just moves it elsewhere.Instead of escaping, David prays. He prays honestly and says exactly how he feels (vs 9,15,19). We must never think that God cannot cope with our anger. In fact honest outpouring to God of our feelings is therapeutic. David also prays persistently – evening, morning, noon (v 17). Hard times do far more for our prayer relationship with God than easy times ever do. So when we cast (a forceful word) our cares on the Lord in prayer we have the assurance of his strong support (v 22). When all is said and done, David says, ‘I trust in you.’ Once again, he has learnt the lesson.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:59:05 +0000
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