Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 55

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
       CHAPTER 55          

David prays morning, noon, and night—He seeks protection and help against his enemies.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.
  1 GIVE ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
  2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and amake a noise;
  3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
  4 My heart is sore apained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
  5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
  6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
  7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
  8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
  9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and astrife in the city.
  10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
  11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and aguile depart not from her streets.
  12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
  13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
  14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in acompany.
  15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into ahell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
  16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
  17 Evening, and morning, and at noona, will I apray, and cry aloud: and he shall bhear my voice.
  18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
  19 God shall hear, and aafflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no bchanges, therefore they fear not God.
 17a Evening, and morning, and at noon This from a Jewish view speaks of the times of day in the order first of when they come, 'Evening, morning and then noon', this is the order of the Jewish day which begins in the evening at the setting of the Sun and runs until the next Sun's setting. But more so, it is a concept of continual prayer which is important here. One ought to make it a habbit to pray unto God at all times, continually; both in a regular regimented order of daily prayer as well as understanding that one not only might but does commune with God always at all times continually as God is ever mindful of us as well. Thus why wait until a set time to pray? Pray now and always.
  20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
  21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
  22 aCast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the brighteous to be moved.
  23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.