Psalm 55:9 ¶ 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.
David calls for his enemies to be hindered from communicating with
each other as they scheme in Jerusalem for his destruction. This reminds me of
what God did at Babel to a mankind that was conspiring to rebel against God’s
authority.
Genesis 11:8 So the LORD
scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left
off to build the city. 9 Therefore is
the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language
of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the
face of all the earth.
And indeed we do see how God did not allow Ahithophel’s counsel to
be heeded. Let’s review some of the events around this.
2Samuel 15:31 ¶ And one
told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And
David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into
foolishness.
Then, read 2Samuel, chapter 17 to see Ahithophel’s counsel
disregarded by the actions of David stalwart, Hushai.
David laments the conspiracy against him going about the city.
Then we move from the direct context of David and Ahithophel to a prophecy of
Christ. It wasn’t a stranger who betrayed either David or Jesus but a friend,
someone close to them.
Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own
familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up
his heel against me.
John 13:18 ¶ I speak not of
you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He
that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
This entire Psalm appears to be a prophecy of Christ as well as a
prayer of David. Death does follow both Ahithophel and Judas, death by their
own hands.
2Samuel 17:23 And when
Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and
arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in
order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his
father.
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas,
which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself,
and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have
betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to
that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of
silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Psalm 55:16 ¶ As for me, I
will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I
pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the
battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he
that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear
not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands
against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother
than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil,
yet were they drawn swords. 22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never
suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But
thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and
deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
David has gone from pleading with God to confidence in His
deliverance. Three times per day as set aside times of prayer are revealed
here. This teaches us that we should pray frequently.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel
knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being
open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a
day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Paul wants us to always be in a prayerful state, communicating
with God.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in
hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray
without ceasing.
David then describes the traitor, Ahithophel, and the Holy Spirit
may be describing Judas, like we might
think of the Beast of Revelation whom we popularly call the Antichrist whose
politician’s words will be smoother than butter but war will be in his
heart, softer than oil but really will be drawn swords.
God, who dwells in eternity, will deal with this person whose
wealth and success and influence give him no reason in his heart to change his
ways and he has no fear of God.
Then he prophecies of the destruction of wicked men and deceivers.
We understand that prophecies of Scripture, including those found
in the Psalms can refer to multiple events and individuals.
In God should be our trust when we have been betrayed and done
wrongfully by someone in whom we trusted.
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