Psalm 55:1-56:13

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:1-23

Psalms 55:1-23THE situation of the psalmist has a general correspondence with that of David in the period of Absalom’s rebellion, and the identification of the traitorous friend with Ahithophel is naturally suggested. But there are considerable difficulties in the way of taking that view. The psalmist is evidently in the city, from which he longs to escape; but Ahithophel’s treachery was not known to David till after his flight. Would a king have described his counsellor, however trusted, as "a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 55:1-23

Psalms 55:0 In the Throes of the Great Tribulation 1. Prayer for help (Psalms 55:1-3 ) 2. Longings to escape (Psalms 55:4-8 ) 3. The great tribulation (Psalms 55:9-21 ) 4. The comfort of hope (Psalms 55:22-23 ) The man of sin, the Antichrist, stands out prominently in this Psalm. Because of him and his oppression, the godly remnant calls for help. They are overwhelmed with horror and beholding the abomination, they wish for wings like a dove and escape from the storm and the tempest of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 55:1

55:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.] Give ear to {a} my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.(a) The earnestness of his prayer declares the vehemency of his grief in so much as he is compelled to burst out into cries. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 55:1

CONTENTS The Psalmist is still at the mercy-seat, praying for strength against his enemies; and for strength and grace in his own soul. Here are some sweet things in this Psalm, typically considered, which refer to Christ, David's Lord, and also of the enemies of God's Anointed. To the chief musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 55:1-2

This beautiful Psalm will be rendered exceedingly profitable to our souls in the reading, if the Holy Ghost, who hath given it by inspiration for the church's profit, shall, by his divine teaching, give us to see the many blessed things contained in it. As it refers to the personal exercises of the writer, David, it will be profitable; and as it becomes from his instance an example to all the church of Jesus, it will be no less so; and yet, more particularly than either, as it represents Jesus... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:1

Geth. Before (Berthier) or after his escape to the cave of Odollam, (Calmet) he composed this psalm, to comfort his followers with the consideration of God's protection. (Haydock) --- See 1 Kings xxii., and Psalm x. The title is variously rendered. St. Jerome, "to the victor for the dumb dove," &c. Protestants, "upon Jonath elem rechokim Michtam of David." This is to elude the difficulty, and we might as well adhere to the Septuagint, who seem to have only added, "from the sanctuary." The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:1-8

1-8 In these verses we have, 1. David praying. Prayer is a salve for every sore, and a relief to the spirit under every burden. 2. David weeping. Griefs are thus, in some measure, lessened, while those increase that have no vent given them. David in great alarm. We may well suppose him to be so, upon the breaking out of Absalom's conspiracy, and the falling away of the people. Horror overwhelmed him. Probably the remembrance of his sin in the matter of Uriah added much to the terror. When under... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 55:1-23

A Complaint of False Friends. To the chief musician on Neginoth, to be rendered with the accompaniment of stringed instruments in public worship, Maschil, a psalm of David. v. 1. Give ear to my prayer, O God, as usual, a strong expression for listening attentively; and hide not Thyself from my supplication, pretending to withhold His answer to David's earnest and importunate pleading. v. 2. Attend unto me, marking closely what he had to say, and hear me. I mourn in my complaint, reeling... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 55:1-23

Psalms 55:0To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David 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 make 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 pained within me:And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 55:1-11

Fleeing the City’s Ills Psalms 55:1-11 This psalm was suggested by Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s treachery. But it contains references which, in their full extent, are chiefly applicable to Judas’ treatment of our Lord. The terrors of the unseen, the stealthy tread of the assassin, the treachery of a friend, the drawn sword under unctuous speech-such were the bitter ingredients mingled for this deeply-tried soul. But we have all known something of his disappointment and anguish, and... read more

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