Frustration Turns to Trust - Psalm 55

Introduction:

Introduction:

We all will have distress in our lives. There has been or will be a time that we all feel hurt and alone.  The book of Psalms can give us great comfort. No Psalm better illustrates someone who was distressed and turned their attitude around than the 55 Psalm. (Read Psalm – On Chart Behind).

Author: David

The traitor is probably Ahithophel ()

Statements about –

“Psalm of the Sore-Distressed” (Irving L. Johnson)   

An ode of the Oppressed” (Scroggie)

“Mingled emotions meet here, as they do in the experience of us all, and here, as always, they are determined by the occasion, and, incidentally, give us the main divisions of the Psalm” (Scroggie)

Scroggie’s Outline

I. Distress (vv.1-8) – Thinking of self

II. Indignation (vv.9-15) – Thinking of Foe

III. Confidence (vv.16-23) – Thinking of God

“It is well the thought does not move in the opposite direction.” (Scroggie)

Discussion:

Discussion:

I.  A Frustrated Heart (vv.1-8)

A.  How the Psalmist Felt (vv.1-5)

                     i.    Restless (v.2)

                    ii.    Oppressed (v.3a)

                   iii.    Hated (v.3b)

                    iv.    Heartache (v.4)

                     v.    Fearful and Trembling (v.5)

B.   What He Wanted to Do (vv.6-8)

 i.    Fly Away (v.6)

 ii.    Wander Far Off (v.7)

  iii.    Escape (v.8)

II.    A Wicked Friend (vv.9-15)

A.    Wicked World Around (vv.9-11)

  i.    I Have Seen Violence in the City (v.9)

  ii.    Iniquity and Trouble Are in the City’s Midst (v.10)

  iii.    Destruction is in Its Midst (v.11a)

  iv.    Deceit and Guile Will Not Depart Its Streets (v.11b)

B.    Betrayal of A Friend (vv.12-15; 19-21)

  i.    Better if Enemy (vv.12-13)

 ii.    Were Once Friends (v.14)

  iii.    Characteristics of Traitor (vv.19-21)

1.    Refuse to Change (v.19)

2.    Unprovoked (v.20a)

3.    Word Means Nothing (v.20b)

4.    Hypocritical (v.21a)

5.    Dangerous (v.21b)

  iv.    All Have Same End (v.15)

III.  A Resolve in God (vv.16-23)

A.    A Resolve to Pray (vv.16-19a)

    i.    Will Call on God (v.16)

ii.    Will Pray Always (v.17)

 iii.    He has Redeemed Me (v.18)

 iv.    God Will Hear Me (v.19a)

B.    A Resolve to Trust God (vv.19b-23)

 i.    They Do All Kinds of Wicked Against Me (v.19b-21)

  ii.    Yet I Will Cast My Burden Upon the Lord (v.22a)

  iii.    He Will Not Let Me Be Moved (v.22b)

 iv.    He Will Keep Me (v.23)

Conclusion:

We need to learn to trust in God. We will have difficult days in our lives, but we must not focus on self (vv.1-8), or those our enemies (vv.9-15), but instead upon God (vv.16-23). Then, we will not be moved (v.22)