Psalm 55:1, 12–14, 16; antiphon, Psalm 55:22—When we are burdened, either by the troubles of this
world or by the guilt and consequence of sin, we are exhorted to cast your
burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous
to be moved. Who are they who are righteous? Those who are righteous by faith
in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, as we learned in the readings for
yesterday (Sunday). Whenever we call on God, the LORD saves us (v. 16).
PSALM 55 –
TRUSTING GOD AGAINST A TREACHEROUS ENEMY
The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of
David. The psalm describes a time of some kind of rebellion or power
struggle against David, and a key leader in the struggle was a trusted
associate who betrayed David. The city is dangerous because of the rebellion,
and David cries out to God. Most commentators fit this psalm to Absalom’s
rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18) and the trusted associate as Ahithophel. Parts of
this psalm seem to fit Absalom’s rebellion, but some parts don’t. It’s hard to
imagine David wishing Absalom to hell (Psalm 55:15) when he didn’t even want
him to die. It may be that the events connected with this psalm are unrecorded
in the sacred history of the life of David.[2]
The Lord Jesus causes fear and trembling and
division because His Word is “like fire .
. . and like a hammer which shatters a rock” (Jeremiah 23:29). His Law puts
us all to death, whereas only His Gospel can bring us to life. He has fulfilled
that Word for us by His cross and in His resurrection from the dead. He
undergoes such a distressing Baptism, accomplished by His death, in order to
open the way for us through our Holy Baptism into His cross and resurrection.
So, then, if we are able “to analyze the
appearance of the earth and the sky” (Luke 12:56), let us mark this sign of
His cross—recognizing that this world is subject to death, but knowing that
Christ Jesus has also conquered death and obtained life everlasting for us. Let
us fix our eyes “on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith” and “run with
endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Collect for Psalm 55: Lord Jesus,
you were rejected by your people, betrayed by the kiss of a friend, and deserted
by your disciples. In our trouble, give us the confidence that you had in the
Father and the assurance of our salvation now and forever.[3]
Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 9: God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters and to experience the joy of life in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.[4]
[1]
Lift High the Cross, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[3]
Collect for Psalm 55, For All the Saints,
A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American
Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4]
ibid
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