Rex H. Henderson

PSALM 55

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 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: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 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. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 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. (Psalm 55, KJV)

Psalm 55

Friendship Betrayed

This is a maschil poem for instruction,
Didactic, teachable, with musical
Skill, probably a simple hymn
Sung in unison as a chorale.

The likeness of Judas is glowing
Upon the canvas of this Psalm.
By a trusted friend, counselor,
And companion, David was bombed.

“A man like myself, my companion
my close friend, with whom I enjoyed
sweet fellowship as we walked with
the throng at the house of God….”

The hypocrite, Ahithophel,
Betrayed David who in great
Anguish and pain turned to God
With his burden to compensate.

And “the Lord saves me, he hears
My voice, and he ransoms me unharmed.’
The key problem was within not
Without, but sounds an alarm.

America needs a moral revival,
A Holy Spirit produced revival.
The problem is within, rediscovering
God to save America from upheaval.

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