PsalmsChapter 55

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For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.

Listen to my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my plea.

Pay attention to me and answer me. My thoughts give me no rest; I am distraught

at the voice of the enemy, at the oppression of the wicked. For they heap trouble on me, and in anger they hound me.

My heart writhes within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

Fear and trembling come over me, and horror overwhelms me.

And I say: If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

I would flee far away and stay in the wilderness. Selah

I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the raging wind and storm.

Confound them, Lord; confuse their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.

Day and night they prowl along its walls; malice and trouble are within it.

Ruin is at work inside it; oppression and deceit never leave its streets.

If an enemy were insulting me, I could bear it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide from him.

But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

with whom I shared sweet fellowship as we walked with the crowd in the house of God.

Let death take them by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil has made its home among them.

But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

God will hear and humble them—he who is enthroned from of old. Selah They never change their ways, and they have no fear of God.

My companion raised his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.

His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men of blood and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

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Summary2

Chapter 55

Main Theme: A lament in which David cries out to God for help against enemies and a treacherous friend, finding rest in trust in the Lord.

Content: The psalmist is filled with anxiety and fear due to enemy persecution and wickedness in the city. What hurts most is the betrayal by a close friend with whom he shared fellowship in God's house. He longs to flee like a dove and find peace in the wilderness, but instead chooses to cry out to God morning, evening, and at noon. The psalm culminates in the exhortation to cast your burden on the Lord, who will sustain the righteous.

Key Words/Images:

Dove's wings (v. 7): Expresses a deep longing to escape pain and find peace away from enemies.
Cast your burden on the Lord (v. 23): A central exhortation to entrust one's worries to God in trust of His care.
Friend's betrayal (vv. 13–14): The pain that a confidant, who shared sweet conversation in God's house, has become a traitor.
Smooth words/butter (v. 22): Describes the false friend's deceitful speech—soft as butter, yet war in his heart.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Psalms 55

People

The psalm is attributed to David and describes an intense personal betrayal by a close friend and advisor. Although the text does not name this person, Jewish and Christian tradition has often linked the psalm to Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15–17). Ahithophel was David's trusted counselor whose advice "was as if one inquired of God himself" (2 Sam 16:23), yet he joined Absalom's revolt. The description of someone who was "my equal, my friend and close companion" (v. 14) and who "walked with me to the house of God" (v. 15) fits well with such a high-ranking advisor who shared both political and religious fellowship with the king.

Places

The psalm mentions "the city" (vv. 10–12) where violence, strife, wickedness, and deceit prevail on its walls and in its streets. This likely refers to Jerusalem, David's capital. The reference to city walls with guards patrolling day and night reflects the typical fortified Israelite city. The psalmist's wish to flee to "the wilderness" (v. 8) reflects the proximity of the Judean wilderness to Jerusalem—a traditional refuge for the persecuted, as David himself fled there during times of persecution (1 Sam 23–24).

Key Terms

The word יְהָבְךָ (yehavkha, "your burden") in verse 23 is a rare Hebrew word that appears only here in the Old Testament. It is related to an Aramaic word and means "that which is given you to bear"—that is, life's burdens and cares. This verse is quoted in 1 Peter 5:7.

The expression סוֹד (sod, "confidential talk/secret") in verse 15 describes the deep, private communication between close friends. In Israelite culture, such intimacy was sacred, and breaking it was a serious violation of trust.

Events and Customs

The description of going "in the crowd to the house of God" (v. 15) refers to the Israelite custom of communal worship at the temple or tabernacle. בְּרָגֶשׁ (beragesh) means "in the crowd" or "with movement/noise" and describes the gathering of worshippers. The fact that the psalmist shared this holy experience with his betrayer makes the betrayal all the more painful—it broke both human friendship and sacred fellowship.

The curse that enemies should "go down alive to Sheol" (v. 16) has parallels with Korah's rebellion, where the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels (Num 16:30–33). This was the ultimate punishment for treason against God's chosen ones.

People1

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Key words9

Prayer — A communication with God where one asks for help, guidance, or gives thanks for blessings.
Enemies — Persons or forces that oppose or wish to harm someone, often used in a religious context to describe evil powers.
Flee — To quickly leave a place, situation, or conflict to avoid danger or discomfort.
Fear — A feeling of anxiety, unease, or worry that arises when one is afraid of something or someone.
The Lord — Another term for God, referring to his authority and power.
Lament — To express dissatisfaction, grief, or suffering, often directed toward God in prayer for help and comfort.
Tears — Drops of fluid coming from the eyes, usually as a result of sorrow, pain, or strong emotions.
Trust — Belief that someone or something will act rightly and be reliable, especially in relation to God.
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