Scripture Reading : Psalm 55
Theme : Prayer during Time of Betrayal
- David’s Terrifying Oppression (1–8). In the psalm David called on God to enable him to escape from his terrible plight. He lamented the oppression that had come through being betrayed by his close friend. Yet David expressed his personal confidence in God who redeems. This first section records his prayer to be delivered from his terrible oppression. He cried out to God, pleading that God hear his restless complaint (vv. 1–2a). His enemy was staring at him and angrily reviling him, reducing him to fear, trembling, and horror (vv. 2b–5). So he longed to escape from the hostility (vv. 6–8), like a dove flying away to a place of refuge in the desert, to a shelter from the storm.
- David’s Painful Betrayal (9–15). The psalmist asked God to confuse the wicked/divide their tongues. The basis of this imprecatory prayer is that the city (perhaps Jerusalem) was filled with violence and strife and malice and abuse, which in turn were caused by threats and lies by the wicked. The painful part of his exposure to this destructive violence was that it came through the betrayal of a faithful companion, not an enemy. David addressed the traitor (it is you), recalling how they worshiped the Lord together with the congregation (throng). Thus the psalmist wished God’s swift destruction (by death) on all his enemies.
- David’s Personal Confidence (16–23). In spite of all the evils, darkness and betrayals around him, he is confident that God will protect him and destroy his enemies. He even encourages other believers to trust in God, for He will deliver them.[1]
Praying the Scripture
There are some people who are so treacherous that they will even betray their friends. They pay evil for good. Such people worship personal gains, instead of God who is faithful and loving. This is what happened to Jesus in the hand of Judas. In such trying times, God encourages us to rely on Him. He will protect believers and destroy the traitors.
[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 835.
经文：诗篇55
主题：被友出卖者的祷告
- 大卫可怕的压迫（1-8）。在这章诗篇里，大卫呼求神能让他逃离所遇的可怕困境。他也哀叹，因为自己是被亲友出卖的。但即便如此，大卫表明他对救赎人的神充满信心。这诗篇的第一部分记载大卫如何呼求神救他脱离可怕的压迫。他向神呼叫，恳求神能留心听他不安的哀叹（1-2a节）。他的敌人正盯着他、辱骂他，使他遭受恐惧、战兢和惊恐（2b-5节）。所以他期望能逃离充满敌意之地（6-8节），像鸽子一样飞到一个在旷野的安息之地，脱离狂风暴雨的避所。
- 大卫痛苦的出卖（9-15）。大卫请求神扰乱敌人，或变乱他们的舌头。这诅咒性的祷告基于城中（或许是耶路撒冷）所见的强暴、争竞、罪孽和奸恶事件，层出不穷，而这些都出自于恶人的欺压和诡诈。在面对这些毁坏性的暴行时，令大卫最痛苦的部分是知道他是被亲友所卖，而不是被敌人出卖。大卫对叛徒（即“你”）说话，回想起他们以前如何与群众一同敬拜神。因此大卫希望神能快速地用死亡毁灭他所有的敌人。
- 大卫个人的信心（16-23）。即使面对这么多邪恶、黑暗和出卖事件，大卫还是充满信心地相信神会保守他并摧毁他的敌人。他也鼓励其他信徒要倚靠，因为神必拯救他们。[1]
用经文祷告
有些人非常奸诈，甚至愿意出卖朋友，以恶报善。这些人所崇拜的是私利，而不是那位忠实又充满慈爱的神。这就是耶稣在犹大手中所遭受的事。面临这些痛苦时，神鼓励我们要依靠祂。祂会保守信徒，并且毁灭叛徒。
[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 835.
