Psalms 55:19

God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

God {H410} shall hear {H8085}{H8799)}, and afflict {H6030}{H8799)} them, even he that abideth {H3427}{H8802)} of old {H6924}. Selah {H5542}. Because they have no changes {H2487}, therefore they fear {H3372}{H8804)} not God {H430}.

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.

God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.

God will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, [Selah The menwho have no changes, And who fear not God.

Commentary

Psalm 55:19 (KJV) conveys a profound truth about divine justice and the spiritual state of those who reject God. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will intervene against the wicked, contrasting God's eternal nature with the undisturbed arrogance of the ungodly.

Context of Psalm 55

Psalm 55 is a lament of David, likely written during a time of intense distress, possibly due to the betrayal by a close friend (often associated with Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion). The psalm is filled with cries for deliverance from enemies and a deep sense of personal anguish. Verse 19 transitions from David's personal plea to a declaration of God's universal judgment and the reason for the wicked's irreverence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Righteous Judgment: The verse asserts God's active role in judging the wicked. "God shall hear, and afflict them" highlights divine justice and His attentiveness to the prayers of the righteous. This underscores a core biblical truth that God is not indifferent to evil but will ultimately bring about retribution.
  • The Eternal God vs. Unchanging Wickedness: The phrase "even he that abideth of old" emphasizes God's timeless, unchanging nature and His ancient authority. This stands in stark contrast to the wicked, who "have no changes." Their lack of adversity or suffering leads to spiritual complacency and a false sense of security. God's eternal presence ensures that His justice will prevail, regardless of the temporary stability of the wicked. For more on God's unchanging nature, see Malachi 3:6.
  • Prosperity and Spiritual Complacency: The core insight of this verse is that an undisturbed, prosperous life can lead to a lack of reverence for God. When individuals experience "no changes"—no hardship, no challenges—they often feel self-sufficient and see no need for divine intervention or guidance. This spiritual blindness prevents them from acknowledging God's sovereignty or fearing His power. This theme is echoed in other lament psalms, such as when the psalmist questions the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Abideth of old": The Hebrew phrase for "abideth of old" (yoshev qedem) literally means "He who sits from antiquity" or "He who dwells eternally." It powerfully conveys God's everlasting nature, His pre-existence, and His unchanging sovereignty throughout all generations. This emphasizes His authority to judge.
  • "No changes": The Hebrew word for "changes" (chalifoth) implies a lack of reversals, misfortunes, or adversities. It describes a state of undisturbed ease and continuous prosperity. The wicked experience no disruptions that might cause them to reflect on their mortality or their need for God, leading to their spiritual indifference.

Practical Application

Psalm 55:19 serves as a powerful reminder for believers and a warning for the ungodly. For those who trust in God, it reinforces the truth that divine justice is certain, even if delayed. It encourages patience and continued prayer in the face of injustice, knowing that God "hears" and will act in His perfect timing.

For all, it offers a crucial warning: continuous ease and prosperity, without the tempering experience of adversity, can foster spiritual arrogance and a dangerous lack of the fear of the Lord. True wisdom recognizes God's hand in all circumstances—both blessing and hardship—and maintains a humble reverence for His eternal power and righteous judgment. Adversity can often be a catalyst for spiritual growth and drawing closer to God, as it forces reliance on Him rather than self-sufficiency.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 33:27

    The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

  • Ecclesiastes 8:11

    Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Zephaniah 1:12

    And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

  • Jeremiah 48:11

    Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

  • Revelation 6:10

    And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

  • Revelation 6:11

    And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.
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