Psalm 55

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 55

It is the conjecture of many expositors that David penned this psalm upon occasion of Absalom's rebellion, and that the particular enemy he here speaks of, that dealt treacherously with him, was Ahithophel; and some will therefore make David's troubles here typical of Christ's sufferings, and Ahithophel's treachery a figure of Judas?s, because they both hanged themselves. But there is nothing in it particularly applied to Christ in the New Testament. David was in great distress when he penned... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 55:1-8

In these verses we have, I. David praying. Prayer is a salve for every sore and a relief to the spirit under every burden: Give ear to my prayer, O God! Ps. 55:1, 2. He does not set down the petitions he offered up to God in his distress, but begs that God would hear the prayers which, at every period, his heart lifted up to God, and grant an answer of peace to them: Attend to me, hear me. Saul would not hear his petitions; his other enemies regarded not his pleas; but, ?Lord, be thou pleased... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 55:9-15

David here complains of his enemies, whose wicked plots had brought him, though not to his faith's end, yet to his wits? end, and prays against them by the spirit of prophecy. Observe here, I. The character he gives of the enemies he feared. They were of the worst sort of men, and his description of them agrees very well with Absalom and his accomplices. 1. He complains of the city of Jerusalem, which strangely fell in with Absalom and fell off from David, so that he had none there but how own... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 55:16-23

In these verses, I. David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (Ps. 55:16): ?As for me, let them take what course they please to secure themselves, let violence and strife be their guards, prayer shall be mind; this I have found comfort in, and therefore this will I abide by: I will call upon God, and commit myself to him, and the Lord shall save me;? for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, in a right manner, shall be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 55 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil cf15I A Psalm of David. The occasion of this psalm was either the persecution of Saul, or the conspiracy of Absalom. Some think it was written when David understood that the inhabitants of Keilah would deliver him into the hands of Saul, 1 Samuel 23:12 ; and others when the Ziphites attempted a second time to do the same, 1 Samuel 26:1 ; but since a single person is spoken of that magnified himself against him, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:1

Give ear to my prayer, O God ,.... Which was for that which is just and right, and equitable to be given, as the word F14 תפלתי "orationem meam", i.e. "secundum judicium"; so Arana. used signifies; being promised in the covenant of grace, ratified and confirmed by the blood of Christ, Not only David was a man much given to prayer, as well as was the sweet psalmist of Israel; but the Messiah, as man, was much and often engaged in this work, in the days of his flesh, Luke 6:12 ; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:2

Attend unto me, and hear me ,.... So as to answer, and that immediately and directly, his case requiring present help; I mourn in my complaint ; or "in my meditation" F16 בשיחי "in meditatione mea", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. ; solitary thoughts, and melancholy views of things. Saints have their complaints, on account of their sins and corruptions, their barrenness and unfruitfulness, and the decay of vital religion in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:3

Because of the voice of the enemy ,.... Of Absalom, as Arama; or of Ahithophel, who gave out he would smite the king only, 2 Samuel 17:2 ; and so of any spiritual enemy, as sin, Satan, and the world, when they threaten dominion and tyranny; and of the Scribes and Pharisees reproaching Christ, as being a Samaritan, and having a devil, and doing his miracles by his assistance; menacing, insulting, and triumphing over him, when on the cross; because of the oppression of the wicked ; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:4

My heart is sore pained within me ,.... At the civil war in his kingdom; at the battle likely to ensue between his forces and Absalom's, and at the issue of it; see Jeremiah 4:19 ; this was true of Christ in the garden, when his soul was exceeding sorrowful unto death, and he was in pain, as a woman in travail, as the word F17 תכסני "operuit me", Pagninus, Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "operit", Cocceius; "obtegit", Junius & Tremellius; "obtexit", Piscator; so Ainsworth. here... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:5

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me ,.... Fear and dread of mind, and trembling of body; and horror hath overwhelmed me ; or "covered me"; he was in the utmost consternation and surprise at what he apprehended would be the issue of things; so Christ in the garden is said to be "sore amazed", Mark 14:33 ; all which terror, fearfulness, trembling, and horror, arose from a sense of sin imputed to him, even of all the sins of his people, the faith of which must be nauseous to him,... read more

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