Psalms 55:1

Psalm 55:1 KJV: "¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication."

Commentary on Psalm 55:1

Psalm 55 opens with an urgent and deeply personal plea from King David to God. This verse sets the tone for a psalm filled with distress, betrayal, and an earnest cry for divine intervention. It highlights the profound human need to feel heard and acknowledged by the Creator, especially in times of great trouble.

Context

The superscription provides crucial insights: "To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David."

• To the chief Musician: Indicates this psalm was intended for public worship and musical performance, likely by the choir director.
• on Neginoth: Refers to stringed instruments, suggesting the psalm was accompanied by lyres or harps, adding to its emotional depth.
• Maschil: This term means "a psalm of instruction" or "a contemplative psalm." It implies that this psalm is meant to impart wisdom or insight through reflection on David's experience.
• A Psalm of David: Attributes authorship to King David, grounding the psalm in his life experiences, which often included intense periods of persecution, betrayal, and deep sorrow. While the specific crisis is not named in this verse, the subsequent verses of Psalm 55 strongly suggest a situation of profound betrayal, possibly related to Absalom's rebellion or Ahithophel's treachery, prompting this desperate prayer.

Key Themes

• Urgency in Prayer: David's immediate cry, "Give ear to my prayer, O God," reflects a desperate and urgent need for divine attention. It's not a casual request but a heartfelt appeal from a soul in anguish.
• Desire for Divine Presence: The plea "hide not thyself from my supplication" reveals a fear of God's silence or absence. David longs for God's active engagement and visible presence in his time of need, not for Him to turn away or remain distant.
• Dependence on God: By addressing God directly and laying bare his supplication, David demonstrates his complete reliance on the Almighty as his only source of help and refuge.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew phrase translated "Give ear" is ha'azinah (הַאֲזִינָה), which means to "listen intently" or "hearken." It's a stronger verb than simply "hear," conveying David's desire for God to pay close, active attention to his words.
• "Hide not thyself" comes from the Hebrew 'al tit'alam (אַל־תִּתְעַלַּם), which literally means "do not deafen yourself" or "do not turn a blind eye." It expresses a profound fear of God being unresponsive or indifferent to his suffering.

Related Scriptures

This opening verse resonates with other instances of David's cry for divine intervention. David, often facing immense pressure and betrayal, pours out his heart, as seen in other Psalms such as Psalm 6:2 where he cries for mercy when his soul is vexed. The earnestness of his prayer also aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God desires to hear and respond to His children's prayers when they are offered according to His will.

Practical Application

Psalm 55:1 offers timeless encouragement for believers today:

• Honest Communication: It teaches us the importance of bringing our deepest fears, anxieties, and even our sense of abandonment directly to God. We are encouraged to be utterly honest in our prayers.
• Trust in God's Listening Ear: Despite feelings of being unheard, David's act of praying demonstrates his underlying faith that God does listen and cares. This encourages us to persist in prayer, even when answers seem delayed.
• Vulnerability Before God: There is strength in vulnerability. David's willingness to express his fear of God 'hiding Himself' shows that it's permissible to voice our doubts and struggles to the One who understands all things.