Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy.
Attend to me and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint and I moan because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
My heart is in anguish within me.
The terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me and horror overwhelms me.
And I say, oh, that I had wings like a dove.
I would fly away and be at rest.
Yes, I would wander far away.
I would lodge in the wilderness.
I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues, for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go around it on its walls.
And iniquity and trouble are within it.
Ruin is in its midst.
Oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace.
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.
We used to take sweet counsel together.
Within God's house we walked in the throng.
Let death steal over them.
Let them go down to shoal alive.
For evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
But I call to God and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaints and moan.
And he hears my voice.
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage.
For many are arrayed against me.
God will give ear and humble them.
He who is enthroned from of old.
Because they do not change and do not fear God.
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.
Cast your burden on the Lord.
And he will sustain you.
He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
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.
Well, good morning, everyone.
My name is David.
I'm one of the pastors here.
Would you pray with me as we come to God's word?
Our Father in heaven, you know our weakness.
You know how dangerous this world is.
And that we are constantly under threat.
But Lord, we know that you have compassion for us.
Father, we know this because of Jesus.
We just pray that you would speak to us again this morning.
Through your word.
And assure us again that we are safe in you.
Please speak to us.
Please give us hearts that want to hear you.
And respond to you.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Well, to say this world is dangerous is an understatement, isn't it?
I don't know about you, but I check the locks in my house when we're going to bed twice.
I don't know why I do that.
Not trusting myself there, maybe.
In the car or when we're crossing the road, I grab Emma's hand as if she's a child.
And she hates it.
Drives her nuts.
I did it on the way to church this morning.
I was like, be careful.
You've got internet security on your laptops.
But we expect strangers to be dangerous, don't we?
We expect to be attacked by strangers.
We're ready for it.
But what about people we know, like our work colleagues?
And what about our chosen friends and our local church family?
What about our biological family?
What about our parents, our spouse, children, siblings?
Surely, surely we are safe with these people to let our guards down and be vulnerable.
In fact, we all know to get close to each other, we have to let our guards down.
We want to be close.
We need to be known and accepted.
We want to walk together through life.
Psalm 55 is King David's prayer and lament.
And it touches a nerve in all of us that is uncomfortable.
But I think we can all easily relate to it.
The closer people are to us, the more completely rattled and shaken we are when they let us down and intentionally harm us.
But let me quickly clarify what Psalm 55 and the rest of what I'm saying this morning is not referring to.
We live in a culture that believes all pain is bad.
But Proverbs 27 verse 6 says,
Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
If those closest to you love you enough to say hard things when you need to hear them,
remember, faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Treasure them.
But still, with this clarification, there's still many times that we feel beaten by those closest to us.
We're not told what the exact situation is for King David.
But talk of the city suggests that this was after he was settled in Jerusalem.
The neighbouring enemies have been quashed.
His days being hunted by Saul are over.
God had given David's kingdom peace.
And we can relate to this.
We are now in Christ.
In God's covenant community.
We have peace with God and one another.
But we can also relate to David when he cries out,
My heart is in anguish.
It's whirling within me.
The terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me.
And horror overwhelms me.
We feel like who we are and the protection of close relationships are headed for disaster.
We're not going to recover.
Did they ever love me?
Do they still care about me?
Did anything I did have any value?
Do you?
People were talking and making noise against David.
Their words and actions just drop trouble on him.
He just feels beaten down.
in verses 9 to 11
as David looks around Jerusalem
instead of seeing faithfulness and peace
he sees violence and strife
how can I put myself out there and be vulnerable
when I can't trust my very own people
not to hurt me
if they knew my sin
would they stop talking to me
if I express a thought
will I be shut down and treated like an idiot
if I give my time and efforts
will I just simply be used
if I fail
will I be criticized
will I lose face
in the community
then in verses 12 to 14
we hit the deepest source of agony
for it is not an enemy who taunts me
then I could bear it
it's 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
we used to take sweet counsel together
we enjoyed sweet fellowship together
within God's house
we walked among the throng
he'd opened up with this person
this was an ally
this was a friend and support
someone with whom he had deep bonds of intimacy
standing shoulder to shoulder
worshipping the same God
I lowered my defences with you
maybe
we're not told
but maybe David wrote this psalm
when his very own son
Absalom
was conspiring to overthrow and kill him
his son stood at the gate of the city
and intercepted anyone on their way to the king
and told them
the king's not going to listen to you
he won't care about you
he won't look after you
I'll do that for you
and he stole the hearts
of all Israel
away from God's chosen king
and then
he goes to the king
to his face
to his father
and asks for permission
to go to Hebron
to offer sacrifices to the Lord
those words sound so sweet and good
don't they
but all the while
he's sending out
messengers
to rally all Israel
to come back
to Jerusalem
and slaughter his father
verse 21
his speech was smooth as butter
yet war was in his heart
his words were softer than oil
yet they were drawn swords
can you imagine how David felt?
now not many of us
would have had
our physical life threatened
like this
but we can hear
people imply
by their words
and their behaviour
you are
unfair
you are
doing a bad job
you are
not worth respecting
you
are not worth listening to
you
are not
worth loving
you deserve
God's punishment
we hear these things
what do we do
in that situation?
how do we try and cope?
none of us can stand up
underneath that
how do we try and cope?
you probably do what I try and do
I'm guessing
don't we complain
to those we think
will listen to us
and say
wow
they really did the wrong thing
to you
you are such
a victim in this situation
you deserve much better
instead of talking to the person
who wronged us
don't we just
complain to others
to try and get their support
but isn't this spreading violence
through the city?
don't we just want to run away
from the issue
and the person
we avoid them
if we can
otherwise
we just never raise
that topic
ever again
or we change jobs
we change friends
we change churches
and don't we just
justify
unleashing our anger
either we fly
off the handle
or we suppress it
and just interpret
everything they do
as utterly
evil
from that point on
and then we try
and make them suffer
by withdrawing our love
or attacking them
with our tongue
and then don't we just
try and find a place
to hide
we keep them
at arm's length
from then on
because I am not
going to be hurt
like that again
we complain
we run away
we unleash our anger
we find a place
we can stay in hiding
but David
remains unmoved
and says
that I will trust
in you
how?
how on earth
does he do that?
how does he get
to that point?
what does the
response of faith
look like
when you are under
attack from those
closest to you?
I think Psalm 55
teaches us
to complain
to run
to share your anger
and to hide
we've been given
this Psalm
to pray
to use
to follow
the person
who prays this
along with God's
King
will complain
to the one
who truly
hears us
we will run
it by God
when we want to
run away
we will share
our anger
with the only
judge
and we will
find
that our
steadfast
Lord
is a safe
place
to hide
if we
follow David
in using
this Psalm
in praying
like him
we will find
that we are
actually following
the son of David
so first
let's go
through these
complain
to the one
who truly
hears you
when we are
falsely
accused
or undermined
or insulted
or intimidated
we feel so
alone
don't we
we desperately
want someone
to listen
to us
to deeply
understand
our pain
and then to
help us
put things
back in
order
so we go
to our
chosen
friends
we go
to our
family members
we go
to pastors
we go
to psychologists
and they
all have
a good
place
a helpful
place
they're a
gift
from God
but who
on earth
is wise
enough
to understand
your situation
in all
its detail
who has
the capacity
to have
complete
compassion
for you
who is
righteous
enough
to discern
and give
you justice
who has
the power
to put
things
right
present
your case
to the
one
who truly
and completely
hears you
the major
change in
this prayer
comes in
verse 16
onwards
the change
is not
in the
situation
itself
but in
the praying
person
in verse
16
David
starts
calling
God
Lord
in capitals
Yahweh
the personal
covenant
keeping name
of God
David knows
and remembers
he belongs
to a God
merciful
and gracious
slow
to anger
and abounding
in steadfast
love
and faithfulness
keeping
steadfast
love
for thousands
forgiving
iniquity
and transgression
and sin
but who
will by no
means
clear the
guilty
complain
to the
one
who truly
hears
you
and when
someone offers
their complaint
to you
the very
best thing
you can do
for them
is bring
their complaint
before the
Lord
on their
behalf
so let's
help each
other do
that
I was
watching
the
original
Jurassic Park
this week
and who
doesn't wish
that was a
real place
it's amazing
and you know
that famous
scene
when the
power goes
out
it's in
the rain
and the
electric
fence
keeping
the
enormous
T-Rex
contained
to some
degree
but then
the wires
just start
breaking
like guitar
strings
and then
the worst
nightmare
steps
into reality
the monster
is hunting
this one
car
with two
kids
and a
man
inside
the horrors
of death
are overwhelming
them
and the man
just runs
away from
the vehicle
leaving the
two kids
in the
car
and the
T-Rex
destroys
the car
and having
come so
close to
death
the girl
is just
shaken to
the core
and she
keeps repeating
this one
line
it wasn't
I almost
died
she keeps
repeating
he left
us
he left
us
we all
know
life is
full of
threats
and dangers
and I'm
not
referring
to people
here
as the
T-Rex
okay
when you're
in an
argument
for instance
the issue
itself
can just
feel
enormous
you've
got no
chance
it feels
unstoppable
and it's
just
damaging
everyone
around
it
but what
really does
the biggest
damage is
when we
feel left
alone
saying
they left
us
now
combine this
with the
other feeling
we all
know
very
very well
when
someone
is
saying
things
against
you
when
conflict
just
seems
to
intensify
not get
better
when
attempts
at doing
good
are called
evil
when others
are just
seeking
their own
interests
and others
know about
the situation
and it feels
like they're
doing nothing
about it
as if
they're
approving
of it
what is
the one
desire
that creeps
up in
us
and it
just feels
overwhelming
feels like
we have
to give
into it
I think
it's
verse 6
oh
that I
had wings
like a
dove
I would
fly away
and be
at rest
yes I
would wander
far away
I would
lodge in
the wilderness
I would
hurry
to find
a shelter
from the
raging
wind
and
tempest
if we
don't run
away
completely
don't
we find
a shelter
that protects
us from
the raging
storm
I just
won't ever
raise that
topic
with that
person again
I'm happy
to chit
chat
but I'm
not trusting
that person
again
we might
withdraw
further
back in
the community
maybe in
bible study
you offer
a suggestion
and people
seem to
treat you
as stupid
or you
feel ashamed
of your
prayer that
seemed to
go all
over the
place
and you
just decide
I'm going
to be
quiet from
now on
I'm not
really going
to share
what I need
prayer for
we find
these little
shelters
to hide
behind with
one another
we're very
good at it
when we
are attacked
within our
own walls
by those
we trusted
suddenly the
city that
was once
safe and
the lonely
wilderness that
was once
dangerous
are reversed
the desire
to run
away and
find a
place to
hide is
very powerful
and it's
legitimate
it's very
reasonable
apparently this
is the only
time in the
Psalms King
David expresses
his desire to
run away
but imagine
if God's
king ran
away
what would
this do to
the order
and security
of those he
was responsible
for what
would this do
to the public
reputation of
God's name
the damage
of running
away is too
great
but the
desire to
run away
is also
too great
what do we
do
we follow
David
we run
it by
God
when we
want to
run
away
God
fully
appreciates
our need
for a
hiding
place
but in
the end
God is
the one
who should
decide if
we should
run
so that's
why I've
used the
phrase
run it
by God
in some
cases
there are
very good
reasons to
withdraw
but don't
just go off
the emotions
run it
through
God's
will
to decide
and I
think also
when we
express
this desire
in all
its rawness
be brutally
honest with
God
he sympathizes
with us
and he
satisfies
this desire
you might
have to
express it
morning
noon
and night
but he
will satisfy
the desire
when you
share it
with him
directly
with him
so let
me pause
and ask
is there
a false
hiding
place
a shack
in the
wilderness
of your
own
making
that you
need to
come out
from
is there
a tough
conversation
you need
to have
is there
a new
level of
risk
you need
to
need to
take
do
you need
to
initiate
not
knowing
what
the
response
will
be
is there
a new
degree
of
raw
honesty
with
God
complain
to the
one
who
truly
hears
you
run
it
by
God
when
you
want
to
run
away
and
the
third
step
on
the
path
of
faith
is
a bit
unexpected
and
you
might
even
think
it's
sinful
I
did
it
first
our
psalm
gives
us
words
to
express
our
anger
look
at
verse
9
and
verse
15
destroy
oh
Lord
divide
their
tongues
for I
see
violence
and
strife
in
the
city
verse
15
let
death
steal
over
them
let
them
go
down
to
Sheol
the
place
of
the
dead
alive
for
evil
is
in
their
dwelling
place
and
in
their
heart
it's
raw
intense
language
it
makes
us
ask
the
question
are
we
really
meant
to
follow
David
at
this
point
there's
a few
factors
we need
to
consider
first
if
you
read
the
story
of
David
again
and
again
he
made
every
effort
to
make
peace
with
his
enemies
secondly
remember
that
David
is
the
king
he
could
have
someone's
head
chopped
off
in a
moment
so
notice
where
he's
directing
his
anger
third
David
wasn't
just
angry
for his
own
sake
he was
angry
for what
the
person
was
doing
to
God's
community
God's
covenant
community
and
fourth
we need
to
factor
in
that
as
God's
chosen
king
the
words
spoken
against
King
David
are
spoken
against
God
in a
more
direct
way
than
what
you
and
I
can
claim
so
those
factors
in
mind
is
David
just
releasing
his
anger
to
God
as
some
kind
of
self
therapy
he's
just
got
to
get
it
out
I
don't
think
so
I
think
he's
doing
a lot
more
than
that
he's
really
asking
God
to
be
God
you
be
God
and
judge
look
at
the
language
divide
their
tongues
the
city
is
corrupt
sounds
a lot
like
the
Tower
of
Babel
that
city's
words
and
actions
were
desiring
to
overthrow
God
ruling
their
lives
so
God
confused
them
and
limited
their
ability
to do
evil
and
then
in
verse
15
let
them
go
down
to
Sheol
alive
in
other
words
God
take
their
lives
early
and
unexpectedly
but
listen
how
similar
these
words
are
to
Numbers
chapter
16
when
Korah
and
many
respected
men
in the
community
rise
up
against
Moses
God's
chosen
servant
Moses
says
in
number
16
if
these
men
die
as
all
men
die
or
if
they
are
visited
by
the
fate
of
all
mankind
then
the
Lord
has
not
sent
me
but
if
the
Lord
creates
something
new
and
the
ground
opens
its
mouth
and
swallows
them
up
with
all
that
belongs
to
them
and
they
go
down
alive
into
Sheol
then
you
shall
know
that
these
men
have
despised
the
Lord
and
as
soon
as
he
had
finished
speaking
all
these
words
the
ground
under
them
split
apart
and
the
earth
opens
its
mouth
and
swallowed
them
up
so
they
and
all
that
belonged
to
them
went
down
alive
into
Sheol
verse
19
God
will
give
ear
and
humble
them
he
who
is
enthroned
from
of
old
because
they
do
not
change
and
do
not
fear
God
there's
two
things
we need
to learn
from
this
in
as
much
as
what
someone's
done
to
us
is
sinful
their
offense
is
ultimately
against
the
Lord
so
when
we
cry
out
in
anger
for
God
to
judge
we
are
actually
handing
the
matter
over
to
the
Lord
the
only
judge
if
you
don't
give
your
anger
to
the
Lord
you're
setting
yourself
up
as
judge
vengeance
is
mine
I
will
repay
says
the
Lord
but
the
other
thing
we
need
to
learn
is
that
God's
chosen
king
can
say
this
to
a
degree
that
you
and
I
can't
to
speak
and
act
against
God's
chosen
king
is
to
challenge
God
himself
and
it's
an
incredibly
arrogant
and
stupid
and
deadly
thing
to
do
but
haven't
we
all
spoken
and
sung
and
prayed
words
to
the
Lord
Jesus
words
that
are
smoother
than
butter
but
then
try
and
live
with
a
desire
to
overthrow
him
ruling
our
lives
I
am
the
covenant
breaking
companion
others
especially
those
closest
to me
will
have
need
to
pray
this
psalm
about
me
you
are
the
covenant
breaking
companion
we
want
to
identify
with
David
and
we
can
and
we
should
and
we
must
but
to
do
that
we
must
also
identify
with
those
who
carry
out
violence
and
fighting
within
God's
community
this
psalm
is
ultimately
about
the
son
of
David
the
one
enthroned
forever
alone
in the
garden
outside
the
city
rejected
by
his
own
people
betrayed
by
his
closest
friend
abandoned
by
those
closest
to
him
no
one
was
praying
on
his
behalf
sweating
drops
of
blood
the
terrors
of
death
overwhelming
him
he
cried
out
to
the
father
he
wanted
to
run
away
take
this
cup
from
me
but
instead
of
running
he
hid
in
his
father's
promises
and
he
stood
still
silent
while
being
falsely
accused
though
innocent
he
was
swallowed
up
going
down
to
Sheol
alive
but
God
heard
him
he
redeemed
his
life
in
safety
raising
him
up
he
was
vindicated
though
he
went
down
to
Sheol
the
place
of
the
dead
he
was
the
first
to
experience
that
God
never
permits
the
righteous
to be
moved
you
can
cry
out
to
God
and
be
heard
only
because
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
didn't
run
away
but
was
swallowed
up
on
your
behalf
if
you
don't
take
your
anger
to
the
Lord
you
will
seat
yourself
as
judge
and
you
will
be
driven
to
complain
to
other
people
spreading
the
violence
you
will
be
driven
by
bitterness
and
resentment
until
you
get
that
vengeance
that
your
verdict
demands
but
if
you
take
your
brothers
or
sisters
sin
against
you
to
the
judge
the
judge
who
swallowed
up
his
own
son
then
and
only
then
will
you
be
in
a
place
to
have
that
tough
conversation
that
leads
to
restored
fellowship
among
the
throng
of
God's
people
Paul
trip
points
out
something
really
helpful
he says
our need
for Christ
is just
as big
when we
are sinned
against
as when
we sin
ourselves
so instead
of hiding
in the
wilderness
you and I
have a much
better place
to hide
verse 22
cast
your
burden
on the
Lord
and he
will
sustain
you
he
will
never
permit
the
righteous
to be
moved
how much
more
this side
of Christ's
death and
resurrection
can we
say
he
redeems
my
soul
in
safety
who
shall
separate
us
from
the
love
of
Christ
and
if
I'm
safe
in
him
there's
a
limit
to
how
much
and
how
long
we
can
be
hurt
when
our
deepest
trust
is
not
in
our
loved
ones
but
in
the
abounding
steadfast
love
and
faithfulness
of the
Lord
then
there's
a
limit
the
pain
will
still
be
raw
and
very
deep
but
we
have
a
steadfast
covenant
keeping
Lord
and
he's
given
us
this
psalm
to
help
us
bring
our
complaint
to
him
who
truly
hears
us
he's
given
us
these
words
to
pray
so
that
we
can
run
to
him
when
we
want
to
run
away
to
share
our
anger
with
him
and
let
him
be
judge
and
in
doing
this
we
will
find
we
have
such
a
safe
place
in
Christ
to
hide
we're
going
to
sing
later
in
Christ
I
have
a
shelter
in
the
storm
because
he
was
swallowed
up
so
for
yourself
on
behalf
of
your
brothers
and
sisters
complain
run
share
your
anger
and
you're
going
to
find
such
a
safe
place
to
hide
where
will
you
hide
will
you
say
that
I
will
trust
in
you
will
you
pray
with
me
let's
pray
now
father
you
know
you
know
the
pain
we
go
through
each
day
lord
you
know
the
big
pain
that
happens
every
now
and
then
when
those
closest
to
us
fail
us
to a
large
degree
father
thank you
that you
invite us
to
complain
to
you
lord
you
know
our
desire
to
run
away
you
don't
disapprove
of us
for
wanting
this
you
know
we
need
to
hide
lord
thank
you
that
you
are
judge
of
all
the
earth
and
that
you
will
put
things
right
and
we
thank
you
most
of
all
that
instead
of
swallowing
us
up
you
swallowed
up
your
son
lord
thank
you
that
we
can
hide
in
you
please
help
us
hide
in
you
when
every
fiber
of
our
being
wants
to
just
get
angry
and
run
away
lord
please
help
us
hide
in
you
for
the
sake
of
the
community
that
you
have
died
to
save
and
you
brought
together
for
the
peace
in
that
community
please
do
this
for
the
sake
of
your
name
please
do
this
please
help
us
to
be
a
community
that
brings
one
another's
burden
to
you
we
pray
these
things
in
Jesus
name
amen