Psalms 55:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Complete Jewish Bible:

fear and trembling overwhelm me, horror covers me.

Berean Standard Bible:

Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

American Standard Version:

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Fearfulness{H3374} and trembling{H7461} are come{H935}{H8799)} upon me, and horror{H6427} hath overwhelmed{H3680}{H8762)} me.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 119:120

  • My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Job 21:6

  • Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

Job 6:4

  • For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

Isaiah 21:4

  • My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Job 23:15

  • Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

Job 23:16

  • For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

Psalms 61:2

  • From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Psalms 55:5

Psalm 55:5 is part of a psalm traditionally attributed to David, who was both a king of Israel and a poet. This particular verse captures the raw emotion of the psalmist in a moment of intense distress and fear. The themes present in this verse include deep emotional turmoil, a sense of being overwhelmed by fear, and the physical manifestations of horror. The language used suggests that the psalmist is experiencing a profound sense of dread, possibly due to external threats or personal betrayal, as indicated by the surrounding context of the psalm where David laments over the betrayal of a close friend (Psalms 55:12-14).

Historically, the book of Psalms functions as a collection of songs and prayers, reflecting a wide range of human experiences and emotions, from joy and gratitude to sorrow and fear. These were used in the religious life of ancient Israel, particularly in temple worship, and later in Jewish and Christian liturgies. Psalm 55:5, therefore, is not only a personal expression of fear but also a communal prayer that gives voice to the fearfulness experienced by individuals in times of crisis throughout the ages.

In the broader context of the psalm, the verse is part of a lament, a common form in the Psalms, where the writer cries out to God for help in a situation of adversity. The expression of fear in this verse underscores the psalmist's vulnerability and urgency for divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of the human condition's fragility and the importance of seeking refuge in God amidst life's uncertainties and terrors.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3374
    There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִרְאָה
    Transliteration: yirʼâh
    Pronunciation: yir-aw'
    Description: feminine of יָרֵא; fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence; [idiom] dreadful, [idiom] exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
  2. Strong's Number: H7461
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַעַד
    Transliteration: raʻad
    Pronunciation: rah'-ad
    Description: or (feminine) רְעָדָהxlit rᵉâdâh corrected to rᵉʻâdâh; from רָעַד; a shudder; trembling.
  3. Strong's Number: H935
    There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוֹא
    Transliteration: bôwʼ
    Pronunciation: bo
    Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
  4. Strong's Number: H6427
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּלָּצוּת
    Transliteration: pallâtsûwth
    Pronunciation: pal-law-tsooth'
    Description: from פָּלַץ; affright; fearfulness, horror, trembling.
  5. Strong's Number: H3680
    There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּסָה
    Transliteration: kâçâh
    Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.