“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 Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.” (Psalm 55:12–16)

Being personally attacked hurts; it is like salt in a wound. Being betrayed is infinitely worse; it’s like an acid bath after being dragged through broken glass. What do you do when your friends turn against you? When, as David says, your equal, your companion, your familiar friend, seeks to destroy you. I wonder if you know the pain that David is going through when he writes this Psalm? If you do, you understand the exquisite pain of being tormented by one you love. Whether it’s an Ahithophel, a Saul, or a Judas, makes little difference, the pain is palpable. Yet, the important question is not how painful it is, but what do you do about it?

Notice what David does; he turns to the Lord. As image bearers, we are created for fellowship and relationship with others. However, when we are betrayed, we are left with one hope and one shelter: the Lord. Pour out your heart to Him. I love the words of David in verse 16, “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.” It is a beautiful phrase. The betrayers try to destroy us, but we have a God we can call to, and this God is mighty to save.

David repeats a similar phraseology in verses 20-23, “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.” (Psalm 55:20–23) David’s hope is grounded in the Lord who ultimately will raise his head in victory and cast down the wicked. We ought to cast our burdens upon the Lord and trust in him in the face of the attacks of friends who have become enemies. We ought to do this because we have confidence that there is a God in heaven who will act and one day, soon or in glory, will cause justice to be raised up.