Psalm 55. This is a Psalm of David, and it is a Maschil Psalm, meaning “an instruction”. Historically, the backdrop of this Psalm is the time of Absalom’s rebellion. During this time, there were many people who David expected to remain faithful to him, that turned against him. Notable, Ahithophel the counsellor joined himself to Absalom, and it would seem that he is the “familiar friend” of Psalm 55. This Psalm looks forward to the final days of our Lord’s pathway, when He surveyed the city of Jerusalem in all its wickedness, and felt keenly the betrayal of Judas. Prophetically, this Psalm is set in the great tribulation, in which the remnant will be overwhelmed by the depths of evil that have entered their own country, and the city especially. They feel betrayed by Antichrist, who has broken his covenant (v.20)! It might be the very same covenant as between the beast and Israel which was confirmed for “one week”, but “in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” (Dan. 9:27). It would seem that the covenant would include protection for Israel, but this will be taken away, according to the warning of Isa. 28:18; “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.” It would seem that Antichrist in some way breaches the terms of the covenant, perhaps by causing Jewish worship to cease, setting up the Abomination of Desolation in the holy place, and persecuting the faithful (see v.20).¹

 

 

vv.1-3 Cry for Deliverance From Oppression. The Psalm begins with a cry to God for deliverance, that God would first of all hear the prayer of the suffering remnant. The reason for the suffering is “the voice of the enemy” and “the oppression of the wicked”.  They speak of the persecution risen against them, and we can certainly see the prophetic application of this to the faithful remnant in the great tribulation.

 

 

vv.4-8 Fear, and the Desire to Flee. The faithful speak of a great inner turmoil within them, the “terrors of death” upon them. It is a terrible day when Jews, faithful Jews, would rather fly away into the wilderness then remain in the city of Jerusalem. But such is the “stormy wind”, the “tempest” of evil that is raging within the walls of that city. Prophetically, this might look forward to Christ, at the end of His pathway, when the Jewish leaders took counsel together to put the Lord to death. But further than that, it looks on to the day when Antichrist will usurp the rule of Jerusalem, and the rule of all Israel, and begin an angry campaign of persecution against the faithful.

 

 

vv.9-11 The Condition of the City. The remnant now speak of the condition of the city. They pray that the Lord would swallow up the enemy, because of the violence and strife in the city. They speak of the iniquity and mischief that are carried on in the midst of the city, on the walls of the city, and the oppression and deceit in the streets. We must remember that Jerusalem was God’s earthly center under the Old Covenant, and it will be extremely troubling to the faithful to see it in this condition.

 

 

vv.12-14 Reproach From a Friend. But more deep and personal than the corruption of the city is the reproach that the faithful experience from “a friend”. If it was an enemy that had turned against them, they could have borne it, because reproach from an enemy is expected. Historically, this refers to the betrayal of Ahithophel, and the grief it produces in David when the news reached him (2 Sam. 15:31). We can clearly see that this is also prophetic of Judas, who betrayed Jesus. The one that hated Christ, and turned against Him, was “a man mine equal, mine intimate, my familiar friend”. With sorrow the faithful can look back on the past, on the friendship they had together – or thought they had together – even walking together to the house of God in the mixed multitude. But it is also prophetic of Antichrist who will make himself out as a friend to the Jews at the beginning, and then betray them. Also, the apostate Jews under the leadership of Antichrist will turn against their friends and family who have faith, and betray them (Micah 7:5-6).

 

 

vv.15-19 The Prayer of the Remnant. The prayer of the remnant is that the wicked will be destroyed. But as for the faithful, they call upon God and Jehovah (God’s name in relationship with Israel) will save them. The remnant is cast on the Lord “Evening, and morning, and at noon”, much like Daniel, who prayed three times each day. They can anticipate the deliverance from the battle raging against them. Their confidence is that God will hear and will rise to their deliverance. The faithful compare the immutability of God; “he that is seated of old”, with the unchanging character of the wicked; “they fear not God”.

 

 

vv.20-21 The Treachery of Betrayal. The Psalm returns again to speak of the treacherous betrayal against the faithful. The enemy has “profaned his covenant”, turning his hands against those that were at peace with him. It might be the very same covenant as between the Beast and Israel which was confirmed for “one week” (Dan. 9:27). It would seem that Antichrist in some way breaches the terms of the covenant, perhaps by causing Jewish worship to cease, setting up the Abomination of Desolation in the holy place, and persecuting the faithful. In v.21, the malicious intention of the wicked is now revealed under the friendly false exterior; “Smooth were the milky words of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords”.

 

 

vv.22-23 Trust in God. The faithful encourage themselves to cast their burdens on Jehovah, and He will deliver them. This verse is quoted by Peter in 1 Peter 5:7, which shows that at all times, in all dispensations, the faithful can cast their cares on God, who cares for them. They have confidence that God will bring destruction to the bloody and deceitful men that have treated them so horribly. But the faithful maintain their confidence in God.