What does Psalm 55:14 mean?
David reflects on good times spent with a former friend who turned against him (Psalm 55:12–13). This traitor had once offered good advice and companionship to David. They had spent time together among fellow worshippers of the Lord. Yet now, as David faces intense danger (Psalm 55:1–8), he also deals with this ally's betrayal. This seems to refer to Ahithophel, a counselor who sided with David's rebellious son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31).Ahithophel was outwardly devout but, eventually, he became inwardly corrupt. Although the scribes and Pharisees certainly were not Jesus' friends, their religion was like Ahithophel's. On the outside they appeared to be very devout, but their hearts were corrupt. They were hypocrites. Jesus described them as hypocrites and blind guides (Matthew 23:23–24). He pronounced, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:27–28). The apostle John writes about traitors to the cause of Christ. He says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us" (1 John 2:19).
Psalm 55:9–15 transitions from David asking for rescue into a description of the evil his enemies commit. His foes bring violence, division, fraud, and oppression to the capital city of Jerusalem. Further, a former ally has betrayed David. These descriptions seem to match his experience during the rebellion of Absalom, who was aided by David's prior counselor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 31). Rather than seeking revenge himself, David prays for the Lord's judgment to come on these ungodly persecutors.
David begins this song with a prayer for rescue, likely from his rebelling son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12). David is pained because of a close ally's betrayal; this would refer to Ahithophel, who sided with the rebels (2 Samuel 15:31). This situation creates intense fear. However, David is confident God will rescue him. He is fully assured that those who attack him will be humbled and judged by the Lord.
