Psalm 55
The story behind this Psalm would make an excellent movie about high-level political intrigue. This psalm is David' s response to the rebellion of Absalom and especially the treason of David’s trusted longtime friend and advisor Ahithophel.
David’s distress is complete, and he expresses his desire to retreat into the wilderness. During the oppression of Saul, David was on the run engaging in guerrilla warfare. Without the constraints of urban life, he was one step ahead of Saul. But he wants to be like a dove, to get more than one step’s distance between him and danger.
But David knows that safety isn’t in the dreams of a wilderness retreat or a bug-out location. Security is found in God alone. Traitors can be found even in the most secure locations. The advice of verse 22 is for kings on the run or simple people trying to live faithfully in a crazy, evil world. Our obligation and only real choice is to be sure that we are the ‘righteous’ as seen in the second part of verse 22. This is greater security in righteous living than in a fortress.
“In times of ease or trouble, help me, Lord, to be righteous before You. AMEN.”
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