Daily Devotion 4 May 2016 Psalm 55:9-15 David prays for the destruction of his enemies

Good morning,

David was a man of prayer. Many of the Psalms are David’s prayer for aid during times of distress. Psalm 55 is one of those Psalms. David is praying for deliverance from his enemies, the destruction of his enemies, and in confidence that God would protect him.

The context of Psalm 55 is rooted in 2 Samuel 13-15. Please read these chapters to see why David was praying.

2 Samuel 13:1-22        Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom’s sister

2 Samuel 13:23-39      Absalom’s Revenge (He has Amnon killed)

2 Samuel 14:1-33        Absalom forgiven and restoration

2 Samuel 15:1-12        Absalom’s rebellion

2 Samuel 15:13-37     David flees Jerusalem Verse 31 tells us the  answer to the “who” in   Psalm 55:12-14

Today we will look at David’s prayer for the destruction of his enemies.

David prays for the destruction of his enemies (9-15)

⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. ¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. ¹¹ Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. ¹² For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: ¹³ But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. ¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. ¹⁵ Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

The enemies that David speaks about were at one time his friends and confidants. Absalom, David’s son, rises up and creates an atmosphere of rebellion among the people. Absalom wanted to be King. He spirited away David’s top advisors and drove David out of the city of Jerusalem.

Psalm 55:13-15 speaks of someone close to David. The person is identified in 2 Samuel 15:2, 31 to be Ahithophel. He and David had counseled together over many years.

Even the best of friends can be won over by Satan. The reality here is that Satan, who rebelled against God, was defeated and so were Absalom and his cohorts.

Believers in Jesus Christ should align with His teachings, ministry, and character. When rebels come along we should reject them.  Our standard is Jesus and the Bible is the truth that directs our path.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001