Psalm 55:1-14
Two thoughts came to mind as I read today’s verses. First, the descriptive heading from the NASB: “Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous”. The ESV was much nicer: “Cast Your Burden on the Lord”. Much more positive…! But as to that NASB heading – Although I often imagine the same destruction, especially when I think of Putin’s war with Ukraine and the Arab hatred of the West, more often as I’ve matured a bit I find myself praying for those “enemies”, praying for their heart transformation. Yes, I still ask the Lord why He allows horrible activities to continue and pray that He might take intervention against them. But more often I pray for conversion – for Putin, specifically, and for Moslem leaders around the world.
Second, verses 12-14: For it is not an enemy who taunts me – then I could bear it … But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng… When a dear friend turns against you, that hurts! Carol and I experienced that a few years back when we had a difference of opinion on a major issue with a married couple with whom we were quite close. We had declined their invitation to their daughter’s wedding to her partner, knowing that we could not be joyful at this union. Rather than being loving and understanding our situation they ended our friendship. They wrote us a very harsh letter announcing that “Some things last for a season; that season is over.” Reading verse 12 brought it all back to mind. Again, David has nailed it in his writing. Sad.