Yikes! With a title like problems, problems, problems you might think this is going to be a rant about how bad things are – but it’s not. Rather, it’s the consideration of how in Psalm 55, David pours out his heart to God, in a lament in which he says the words, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
Psalm 55:6 (ESV) — 6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
Have you ever felt like that? The longing to rise above your problems. No matter how severe or minimal the problems of life can get us down to which our first instinct is to run away. Running away does not solve anything and can actually bring on more problems. Case in point, Jonah. In a fit of rebellion, he ran away from God’s presence or so he thought but when God caused such a storm that the sea vessel in which he thought was safe was in dangers. When the sailors determined that Jonah’s rebellion was the cuase of the storm they threw him overboard. God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and while in the belly of the first Jonah repented and God caused the first to vomit him up on dry land. Running away from things is never a good idea.
Jonah 1:3 (ESV) — 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
Jonah 1:15 (ESV) — 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.
Jonah 2:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.
Jonah 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Taking time to go through the entire 55th Psalm will give us insight into David’s plight and why he wanted to fly away, but also insight into the value of a lament in being totally honest with God about our situation as we pour out our hearts to Him, and express reasons we trust Him.
Consider how the Psalm begins:
Psalm 55:1–7 (ESV) — 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! 2Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, 3 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. 4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. 6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
Obviously, David, the mighty warrior is finding the difficulties of life more than he can handle. We can all identify with that feeling, but David’s pain also came from the betrayal of a friend, someone with whom he went to the house of God to worship.
Psalm 55:12–14 (ESV) — 12 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. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.
These words are often used in reference to Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ. What pain is felt deep in the heart when one is betrayed by a friend! It happens all the time. Rather than take vengeance or become bitter and angry, David vents his feelings to God in this lament. Granted he does look for God to make things right in taking care of his enemies, but his response is to bring things to God, rather than take things in his own hands.
Psalm 55:16–17 (ESV) — 16 But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
What a blessing to express such confidence in the Lord! Of course, the word of God gives us great confidence as we take note of things of the done by God in the past, which gives us hope for now and in facing the future. Why? Because God does not change and His promises are true and ever will be true.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) — 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) — 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Titus 1:2 (ESV) — 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
God can be trusted; therefore, David brings his lament to a conclusion in words that express trust and also encourage his readers to do likewise.
Psalm 55:22 (ESV) — 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
What are you facing that would cause you to want to just fly away or run away from your circumstances? It’s never wrong to lament because lamenting draws us closer to God. Laments in the Bible seem to include an honorable addressing God in the pouring out your heart to Him. A second element we would call a complaint but rather complain about God, it’s a complaint to God in total honesty. You may as well because He knows your heart so just be honest and open. Thirdly, a lament includes heartfelt requests to God. You will notice that in Psalm 55 are elements of David’s imprecatory requests regarding his enemies. Whenever we have trouble understanding these types of requests, we must see the context of a lament as the writer, David, is simply opening his heart to God. Finally, David’s lament includes words of faith and trust in God, which is honoring to Him and strengthening to our hearts.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Whenever you are facing problems, problems, and more problems take some time to get the lesson of one with whom you can identify as David in Psalm 55 takes you through the lamenting process to finding trust in the living God.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
