For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.

Reading Psalm 55, I noticed part way through that David turns his attention to his companion. The directness of his comments are cutting.

"If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God."

Then, as if overcome by anger toward this traitor, he says, "Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them.

"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-
men who never change their ways have no fear of God."

I think the line that really caught my attention was that last one, "men who never change their ways have no fear of God." That statement is true. It gives me fear.

He turns his attention back to his companion after that, saying, "My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords." Does that not sound like most people? I'm afraid that it sometimes sounds like me.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked in to the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you."