God will sustain us, come rain or shine,
In our relationship with the divine.
What matters most, in this grand submission,
Is a heart filled with humble contrition.
In the realm where divine eyes fall,
Justice awaits the wicked, one and all.
Evil lurks, of this we're aware,
Yet by it, we must not ensnare.
Strive we must, to be the light,
In the world's ever looming night.
Problems surround, they're part and parcel,
Yet from them, we mustn't always travel.
Face them we should, with courage so bold,
With faith in God, our hand He'll hold.
Through trials and tribulations, come what may,
Our burdens on Him, we can lay.
Reflection:
“I would wait for him who saves me from the violent storm and the tempest.” (Psalm 55:8)
God sees all and will bring the wicked to justice. We should be aware of the evil in the world, but not to be overcome by it. Instead, we should strive to be lights in the darkness. It’s natural to want to escape from our problems, but we can’t always run away from them. Instead, we should face them with courage and faith in God. No matter what we’re going through, we can cast our burdens on God, knowing that He will sustain us. What is important is humility and submission in our relationship with God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You see all, nothing escapes Your divine gaze. We pray for justice, for the wicked to face their days. Help us be aware of the evil that lurks, but let us not be overcome, strengthen our works. Guide us to be lights in the enveloping dark, to shine Your love, to leave a mark. It's natural to want to escape our strife, but remind us, we can't always run from life.
Give us courage, give us faith, to face our fears, to confront our problems, to wipe our tears. No matter the storm, no matter the fuss, we cast our burdens on You, for You will sustain us. In our relationship with You, let humility be our guide, submission to Your will, with no pride. For what matters most in this divine relation, is a humble heart, and complete submission.
In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
A LAMENT OVER BETRAYAL
Psalm 55:1-24
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 23
R: Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
7 And I say, “Had I but wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest. 8 Far away I would flee; I would lodge in the wilderness.” (R) 9 “I would wait for him who saves me from the violent storm and the tempest.” 10 Engulf them, O Lord; divide their counsels. (R) In the city I see violence and strife; 11 day and night they prowl about upon its walls. (R) 23 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he will support you; never will he permit the just man to be disturbed. (R)
Background:
Psalm 55 is traditionally believed to have been written by David during a time of great distress, possibly during a rebellion or power struggle against him. A key figure in this struggle was a trusted associate who betrayed David. Some commentators suggest that this could be referring to Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s treachery, although this is not definitively confirmed.
The specific verses you mentioned (Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 23) express David’s deep anguish and his longing for escape from his troubles. Here’s a brief overview:
Psalm 55:7-8: David expresses a desire to escape his troubles, wishing he had wings like a dove to fly away and find rest. He imagines wandering far off and remaining in the wilderness, away from the turmoil.
Psalm 55:9-10: David prays for God to confound his enemies and observes the violence and strife in the city. He notes that day and night, wickedness and trouble are rampant within the city.
Psalm 55:10-11: This is a continuation of the previous verses, further describing the wickedness and deceit that do not depart from the city streets.
Psalm 55:23: In this verse, David expresses his trust in God, urging others to cast their burdens on the Lord, who will sustain them. He declares that God will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction.
In summary, these verses from Psalm 55 reflect David’s deep distress, his longing for escape, his observations of the wickedness around him, and his ultimate trust in God’s justice.
Learning Lessons:
Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 23 provides several valuable lessons for believers:
Desire for Escape: In verses 7-8, David expresses a desire to escape his troubles. This teaches us that it’s natural to want to escape from our problems, but it also reminds us that we can’t always run away from them. Instead, we should face them with courage and faith in God.
Observation of Wickedness: In verses 9-10 and 10-11, David observes the wickedness in the city. This teaches us to be aware of the evil in the world, but not to be overcome by it. Instead, we should strive to be lights in the darkness.
Trust in God: In verse 23, David expresses his trust in God. This is a powerful lesson for all believers. No matter what we’re going through, we can cast our burdens on God, knowing that He will sustain us.
God’s Justice: Also in verse 23, David speaks of God’s justice. This reminds us that God sees all and will bring the wicked to justice. This can give us comfort when we see injustice in the world.
Humility and Submission: Throughout the passage, David models humility and submission to God. Even in his distress, he turns to God for help. This teaches us the importance of humility and submission in our relationship with God.
In summary, Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 23 teaches us about the desire for escape, the observation of wickedness, trust in God, God’s justice, and the importance of humility and submission. These lessons can guide us in our walk with God. (Copilot)
