Psalms 55:16-23 - Homilies By C. Short

Contrasts in the character and experience of the righteous and the wicked.

I. CHARACTER AND EXPERIENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS .

1 . His life is a continued exercise of prayer and faith. Calls upon God, evening, morning, and at noon. Carries all his anxieties and fears to God; casts upon him his burden ( Psalms 55:22 ). And he does all this with an assured faith ( Psalms 55:16 , Psalms 55:17 ). "And he shall hear my voice." "The Lord shall save me."

2 . He has been already delivered from great dangers. ( Psalms 55:18 .) "Many were against him." Every good man has a past full of such experiences.

3 . He has confident assurance of future protection and guidance. "He shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." God is good and righteous. and this is the foundation of his assurance.

II. CHARACTER AND EXPERIENCE OF THE WICKED .

1 . Generally , they have no fear of God . Without God in the world; living, therefore, without restraint.

2 . They are traitors to former vows of friendship. They violate without compunction former oaths and covenants.

3 . They are guilty of the most cruel deceit. ( Psalms 55:21 .) Bloody and deceitful men.

4 . God shall afflict and humble them. ( Psalms 55:19 .)

5 . They shall die a premature death. ( Psalms 55:23 .)—S.