Psalms 55:23 (ESV)
But you, O God, will cast them down
into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.
Before we address this verse let’s look at the context of Psalm 55. The psalm starts out with this heading:
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
A Maskil was a Hebrew literary tool like a poem or musical score. Since it reads with stringed instruments we can assume this was a liturgy of some sort. Perhaps people sang it as they went to worship.
This Maskill contains several references to someone who is frustrating or actually persecuting David. You can imagine the tone of the song as it is sung. This is not a victory march it sounds more like a funeral drige.
Whoever is the subject of David’s pain is not a stranger to him. Note what he writes early in the lines of the song:
Psalms 55:12-13 (ESV)
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
Psalms 55:20-21 (ESV)
My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;
he violated his covenant.
His speech was smooth as butter,
yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
This is a companion, a familiar friend. Now put that thought into the context of the above verse. David is claiming victory over this challenge in his life. He ends the entire song by praising God that God will cast down these men of blood and treachery.
David does not seem to mind that these previous companions will be struck down by God. He, in fact, knows that God will sustain him through this. Look at the previous verse David wrote:
Psalms 55:22 (ESV)
Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
David believes that his righteousness will sustain him as God works through this challenge. Regarding those who are hurting him, he believes that God will cast them down.
We probably struggle with past friends and companions who have left us and turned their back upon us. Our goal should always be restoration. But God is the one who cares for us. It is not us who are to find vengeance. It is Him.
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