55:10 55:10

Psalms 55:11

55:12 55:12

Bible Versions

Wickedness [is] in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
Wickedness {H1942} is in the midst {H7130} thereof: deceit {H8496} and guile {H4820} depart {H4185}{H8686)} not from her streets {H7339}.
Ruin is rife within it, oppression and fraud never leave its streets.
Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression and guile depart not from its streets.

Context of Psalms 55:11

Psalm 55 is a fervent lament by David, expressing deep distress over betrayal by a close friend and the pervasive wickedness he observes in the city. While the specific city is not named, it is often understood to be Jerusalem, reeling from internal strife or a conspiracy. David describes a city consumed by violence, strife, and moral decay. Verse 11 specifically paints a vivid picture of this urban corruption, setting the stage for David's anguish and his plea for divine intervention.

Meaning and Key Themes

This verse highlights the deep moral corruption at the heart of the city. "Wickedness [is] in the midst thereof" signifies that evil is not just on the fringes but deeply embedded within its very fabric, its institutions, and its people. The phrase "deceit and guile depart not from her streets" emphasizes the constant and pervasive nature of dishonesty, treachery, and cunning. These vices are not occasional occurrences but a defining characteristic of daily life, making the city a place of moral hazard and spiritual danger.

  • Pervasive Corruption: The verse underscores how sin can infiltrate and dominate an entire community, affecting its public spaces and social interactions. This pervasive sin echoes God's sorrow over the widespread wickedness on earth before the Flood.
  • Lack of Integrity: "Deceit and guile" point to a fundamental breakdown of trust and honesty, crucial elements for any healthy society.
  • Urban Decay: It illustrates the spiritual and moral decay that can occur in human settlements when God's laws are disregarded.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "wickedness" is resha (רֶשַׁע), which denotes evil, guilt, or wrongdoing, often implying a deliberate turning away from what is right. Interestingly, the KJV uses two distinct English words, "deceit" and "guile," to translate the same Hebrew word, mirmah (מִרְמָה). This word signifies treachery, fraud, and cunning. The repetition, even if through different English terms, serves to intensify the description of dishonesty and underscore its inescapable presence in the city's daily life.

Practical Application

Psalms 55:11 serves as a stark reminder that wickedness, deceit, and guile are persistent threats in human society, even in seemingly prosperous or religious communities. For believers, this verse highlights:

  • Discernment: The need to be aware of the presence of sin and deception in the world around us.
  • Personal Integrity: A call to live with integrity and honesty, standing in stark contrast to the prevailing culture of deceit. As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt and light in a corrupt world.
  • Hope in God's Justice: Despite the overwhelming presence of evil, the Psalm ultimately points to God as the righteous judge who will bring justice to the wicked and deliver the upright. It stands in stark contrast to the purity of the New Jerusalem, into which nothing defiled will ever enter.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 5:9

    For [there is] no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part [is] very wickedness; their throat [is] an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

  • Psalms 10:7

    His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue [is] mischief and vanity.

  • Isaiah 59:7

    Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths.

  • Jeremiah 5:26

    For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

  • Jeremiah 5:27

    As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

  • Acts 7:51

    ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

  • Acts 7:52

    Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
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