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My wife often prefers I don’t go to the grocery store. Presented with multiple good options, I buy them all. This problem worsens when I shop for clothes, resulting in a whole new wardrobe when I only needed a shirt. I faced a similar challenge this morning reading Psalms 55-60; every verse spoke to me, each vital to discuss.

An overarching theme emerged: David’s journey through suffering, betrayal, warfare, and moments of doubt, punctuated by an unwavering reliance on God. This deeply resonated, especially as I’ve been watching news reports of the recent unrest in Los Angeles.

The Value of a “Miktam”

You might have noticed that Psalms 56-60, along with Psalm 16, are all titled “Miktam of David.” For those unfamiliar, a “Miktam” (or “Michtam”) is a Hebrew term whose precise meaning scholars still debate. Common theories suggest it means “golden” or “precious,” possibly linked to the Hebrew word kethem (gold). Other interpretations describe it as “engraved” (implying something worth preserving) or a musical/liturgical term, the precise meaning of which is now lost. Some even suggest “mystery,” implying a hidden or deeper meaning.

I believe David is signaling the high value of these Psalms—a treasure worth keeping. Within them, you can hear David’s deeply personal voice, expressing both praise and lament as he faced intense adversity.

How does this ancient text tie into events in Los Angeles today? We must recognize California’s immense economic impact. Though only one of our fifty states, it generates roughly 14.1% of our nation’s annual economy.¹ If it were an independent country, its economy would rank as the fourth largest globally, trailing only the U.S., China, and Germany. I have grown weary of California for many reasons, yet no one can deny its importance and value.

The events in David’s life during the writing of these Psalms—Absalom’s rebellion, Ahithophel’s betrayal, and Saul’s relentless pursuit—pushed him to question why God was allowing such turmoil. While he acknowledged his own sin, it felt as though something else was coming between him and God.

We hear David’s emotional turmoil in Psalm 55:2, where his thoughts trouble him. I believe we’ve all faced times when we sense something isn’t right but can’t pinpoint it. Recently, my company laid me off, my wife’s truck broke down, our three-year-old washing machine started leaking, the pest control company found termites, and insurance did not cover an ambulance bill. One thing after another, making me rack my brain, trying to discern what God is trying to show me. I know He walks through the valley with me, but why has He led me this way?

David, like me, then turns inward, searching his own heart (Ps. 55:4). When logic fails, we turn to emotion. Have I allowed myself to be captured by impure thoughts or tempted? Our natural “fight or flight” response makes us want to run from troubles. While a younger, less mature me might have chosen flight, today I know I must fight, trusting in God’s character and His promise to save me.

The Spread of Violence

What must we fight? It is the violence spreading throughout our country. Cities like Los Angeles and New York may be its current centers, but the violence will not stay contained there.

David prayed for God to “confuse the wicked” (Ps. 55:9) who were causing violence in the city, calling them “destructive forces” (Ps. 55:11). This wasn’t merely about external dangers. Psalm 55:13-14 reveals much of his anguish came from the betrayal of a close friend, one with whom he had enjoyed fellowship. He described their words as “smooth as butter” (Ps. 55:21), yet he knew the treachery hidden in their hearts.

Even in this lowest season of his life, David continued to trust in the Lord (Ps. 55:23). He knew his enemies would retreat when they saw God come to his rescue (Ps. 56:9). He took refuge in the Lord (Ps. 57:1), even if it felt as if he was merely in God’s shadow, not as near as he preferred. Yet, he trusted that even from heaven, God would save him (Ps. 57:3), knowing the reach of His love (Ps. 57:10).

Justice When Denied

We are witnessing elected officials favoring foreign invaders over the citizens who have supported them. This parallels David calling out rulers who judged unjustly (Ps. 58:1-2), whom he compared to venomous snakes (Ps. 58:4-6). Even with war raging around him, David believed God would avenge the righteous. (Ps. 58:10)

When we go through seasons of testing and have exhausted all possibility that our sins cause our separation from God, we reach a point, as David did in Psalm 59:4, where he states, “I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.” We have provided opportunity, welfare, and protection to people who have broken laws to be here, and many others since. Now, instead of showing appreciation, they wave foreign flags and attack our law enforcement officers.

David called on the Lord to vindicate him. We must be in prayer, doing the same. While it is vital to show the love of Christ, sometimes imprecatory prayers are justified. We can cry out to God, “For the curse and lies they utter, consume them in your wrath” (Ps. 59:13).

We have angered God by pushing Him out of our lives, and He has turned us over to our sins (Rom 1:24). Now, we must repent and ask Him to restore us (Ps. 60:1). This transformation must happen on a national level, but it begins with one person on their knees. David was that person in Israel’s darkest days. They had told God they wanted an earthly king instead of Him as their king, and He gave them Saul. Our story is not much different.

Each of us has the potential and the responsibility to be a David in our time. Please submit yourself to God and ask Him to save our country.

Tomorrow, we will read Psalms 61-67.


Notes
  1. Calculated using California’s estimated 2024 GDP ($4.1 trillion) and the U.S. nominal GDP at current prices (approx. $29.184 trillion). Although the original text omitted specific sources, U.S. economic organizations, like the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the International Monetary Fund, widely reported this figure.
  2. The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. All biblical citations refer to this version unless otherwise noted.
  3. Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1968).

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