55:16-19 Rather than practicing evil as his enemies did David said he would pray to God for deliverance. Rather than creating havoc in the city he would petition the courts of heaven for justice. In place of a violent death David anticipated a peaceful salvation. God the eternal sovereign will give to each person what he or she deserves. He will give peace to the guiltless and punishment to the guilty.
55:20-21 David further described the deceitfulness of his former friend's treachery.
55:22-23 The psalmist concluded this poem with a homily to the reader. He encouraged the righteous to roll their burdens on the Lord rather than bearing them themselves (cf. 1 Pet. 5:7). He trusted in the Lord's ability to sustain His own having experienced it many times in his life (cf. Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). However, he had also learned that sin leads to death (Rom. 6:23). Normally those who live by the sword perish by the sword and die prematurely (Gen. 9:6; Matt. 26:52). In view of these two alternatives David reaffirmed his decision to trust in the Lord.
The opposition of ungodly people is difficult to bear, but the antagonism of formerly intimate friends is even harder. When friends prove unfaithful, believers should continue to remain faithful to the Lord and trust Him to sustain and vindicate them.
