Psalm 55:16-19

The composer of Psalm 55 is greatly disappointed because his or her "equal," "companion," "familiar friend" (whom she or he addresses as "you" in verse 13) betrayed him or her and showed himself to be counterfeit and deceptive. In bold contrast to this unfaithful friend, the psalmist expresses an unwavering trust in Yahweh to intervene and save him or her from that friend and other enemies associated with that friend in verses 16-19:
"BUT I call upon God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he will hear my voice.
He will redeem me unharmed
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
God, who is enthroned from of old,
will hear, and will humble them--
because they do not change,
and do not fear God."

1. The poet constantly communicates with God: evening, morning, and noon. He or She is confident that God will "save" or deliver (see Psalms 3:7; 6:4; 7:1; 31:16; 40:13; 54:1; 57:3; etc.) and "redeem" (see Psalms 26:11; 31:5; 34:22; 44:26; 69:18; etc.) him or her.
2. The conflict between the psalmist and her or his enemies is a "battle." The Bible repeatedly reminds God's people that they are engaged in a daily battle against the forces of evil. See for example, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Timothy 4:7. No one enjoys conflict, but the very nature of life and of the walk with God puts one in the thick of battle.
3. The hope God's warrior has is rooted in the fact that God is king and in control of everything. He "sits enthroned" in heaven over the universe he has created--see Psalms 2:4; 9:7; 29:10; 93:1-2; 95:3-5; 96:10; 97:1-3; 99:1-3; 102:12. Since the psalmist's enemies are God's enemies (Psalm 55:19), the composer of Psalm 55 can rest assured that God will be victorious.
4. Sometimes enemies "change" and become friends. When this happens, God's people must be forgiving and welcoming. But the psalmist's enemies "do not change" and "do not fear God." Thus Yahweh will overthrow them and vindicate the psalmist.
Psaise God that his power is greater than any earthly power, including our enemies. Even though it may appear that our enemies have the upper hand now, in God's own time he will defeat our enemies and make us victorious with him. See Romans 8:31-39.

John Willis