Psalms55

David cries out to God in deep distress, overwhelmed by the oppression of his enemies and the terror of death. His greatest pain stems from the profound betrayal by a trusted friend, an equal with whom he shared close fellowship. Despite his initial desire to flee, David resolves to call upon the Lord, confident that God will hear his prayer, deliver him, and bring judgment upon the wicked and deceitful.

A Prayer for Deliverance from Distress

1
For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David: Listen, God, to my prayer! Don't hide yourself from my plea! ​
2
Pay attention to me, and answer me! I am panic-stricken as I make my complaint, I shudder ​
3
at how the enemy shouts, at how the wicked oppress; for they keep heaping trouble on me and angrily tormenting me.
4
My heart within me is pounding in anguish, the terrors of death press down on me,
5
fear and trembling overwhelm me, horror covers me.
6
I said, "I wish I had wings like a dove! Then I could fly away and be at rest. ​
7
Yes, I would flee to a place far off, I would stay in the desert. (Selah) ​
8
I would quickly find me a shelter from the raging wind and storm."

The Violence of the City and the Betrayal

9
Confuse, Adonai, confound their speech! For I see violence and fighting in the city. ​
10
Day and night they go about its walls; within are malice and mischief.
11
Ruin is rife within it, oppression and fraud never leave its streets.
12
For it was not an enemy who insulted me; if it had been, I could have borne it. It was not my adversary who treated me with scorn; if it had been, I could have hidden myself. ​
13
But it was you, a man of my own kind, my companion, whom I knew well. ​
14
We used to share our hearts with each other; in the house of God we walked with the crowd.
15
May he put death on them; let them go down alive to Sh'ol; for evil is in their homes and also in their hearts. ​

Trusting God for Vindication

16
But I will call on God, and ADONAI will save me. ​
17
Evening, morning and noon I complain and moan; but he hears my voice. ​
18
He redeems me and gives me peace, so that no one can come near me. For there were many who fought me.
19
God will hear and will humble them, yes, he who has sat on his throne from the start. (Selah) For they never change, and they don't fear God. ​
20
[My companion] attacked those who were at peace with him; he broke his solemn word.
21
What he said sounded smoother than butter, but his heart was at war. His words seemed more soothing than oil, but in fact they were sharp swords. ​
22
Unload your burden on ADONAI, and he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved. ​
23
But you will bring them down, God, into the deepest pit. Those men, so bloodthirsty and treacherous, will not live out half their days. But for my part, [ADONAI,] I put my trust in you. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 55

Verse 1

This psalm is a 'Maschil,' likely indicating instruction or a contemplative poem. David immediately assumes the posture of a petitioner, demanding God's attention in a time of intense personal crisis.

Verse 2

The word translated 'make a noise' (hamiy) suggests deep, restless groaning or agitation, emphasizing the severe emotional and mental distress the psalmist is experiencing.

Verse 6

David expresses a profound desire for flight, reflecting the psychological toll of fear and persecution. This wish for immediate escape from overwhelming trauma is a common theme in distress psalms.

Verse 7

Selah is a musical or liturgical marker, often indicating a pause for reflection on the preceding emotional outburst or a change in musical intensity.

Verse 9

The prayer to 'divide their tongues' echoes the confusion of Babel (Gen 11), asking God to sow discord among the enemies to dismantle their unified power and schemes.

Verse 12

This verse introduces the central point of anguish: the enemy is not an external foe but a trusted companion. This betrayal intensifies the suffering far more than open hostility would.

Verse 13

The phrases 'mine equal' and 'my guide' signify a deep, intimate relationship—likely a trusted advisor or close friend (often associated with Ahithophel's betrayal of David in 2 Samuel 15).

Verse 15

This is a strong imprecatory prayer, asking that the wicked suffer a sudden, premature, and unnatural death ('go down quick into hell,' meaning Sheol, the grave), demonstrating David’s righteous indignation against treachery.

Verse 16

In contrast to the enemies' wickedness (v. 15), David affirms his unwavering commitment to prayer and reliance on God as his sole source of salvation.

Verse 17

Praying 'evening, morning, and at noon' establishes a consistent rhythm of devotion. This pattern of praying three times daily became standard practice for the faithful (cf. Daniel 6:10).

Verse 19

The phrase 'they have no changes' suggests the wicked experience no setbacks or suffering, leading them to believe they are secure and thus have no need to fear God or repent.

Verse 21

This vivid imagery contrasts the smooth, deceptive speech of the betrayer with the underlying malice and violence of his true intentions ('drawn swords').

Verse 22

This verse is a powerful theological exhortation, urging the faithful to transfer the weight of their anxiety onto the Lord. It serves as a key application verse, later quoted in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:7).

Verse 23

The psalm concludes with a final affirmation of faith. David trusts that the deceitful will face divine judgment, suffering a premature death ('not live out half their days'), while he will remain secure in the Lord.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options