Title. Maschil = Instruction. The eighth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:1 , and App-65 . The occasion of this Psalm is seen in 2 Samuel 15:0 . Hence 934BC. God. Hebrew Elohim. App-4 . read more
PSALM 55PRAYER IN THE FACE OF A WICKED CONSPIRACY INVOLVINGA FORMERLY TRUSTED FRIENDThis is another psalm accredited to David; and as Maclaren stated it, "Davidic authorship has at least as much to say for itself as any of the other conjectures that have been offered."[1] The title we have selected is from Leupold.Spurgeon declared that, "It would be idle to fix a time and occasion for this Psalm with any dogmatism; but it reads like a song of the times of Absalom and Ahithophel."[2]"It could... read more
Psalms 55:0. David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case: he prayeth against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complaineth: he comforteth himself in God's preservation of him, and confusion of his enemies. To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Title. לדוד משׂכיל בנגינת למנצח lamnatseach binginoth maskiil ledavid.— This Psalm was written on account of the perfidy and treason of Achitophel. The Psalmist begins with earnest prayers to God for support... read more
1. hide not thyself, c.—(compare Psalms 13:1 Psalms 27:9), withhold not help. read more
David began this psalm with a prayer in which he called on God to hear his petition. read more
1. A cry out of agony 55:1-8 read more
Psalms 55The occasion that inspired the composition of this individual lament psalm was David’s betrayal by an intimate friend. We do not know with certainty who he was, though some commentators have suggested Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31). One manuscript of Jerome’s Latin Version has the title "The voice of Christ against the chiefs of the Jews and the traitor Judas." [Note: Kirkpatrick, p. 308.] David prayed that God would deliver him from his plight. He also lamented his distress that a... read more
The author of this Ps. can hardly be David, for he speaks as a citizen of a distracted city rather than as its king, and the friend of whom he complains is his equal and not his subject. There is really nothing to fix the date of the Ps., though some of the experiences of Jeremiah may illustrate it. It falls into three portions, which have been described as marked by despair (Psalms 55:1-8), indignation (Psalms 55:9-15), and trust (Psalms 55:16-23).3. Cast iniquity upon me] attack me with... read more
The Security of Insecurity Psalms 55:19 Did you ever know so remarkable a reason assigned for irreligion? Here is the peril of a settled life. Here is the security of insecurity. The idea of the word 'changes' is, as Poole the Puritan indicates, 'destructive changes'. They have no unpleasant, painful, changes. They live securely. All is always well with them. And this smooth, unruffled life is the ruin of their souls: 'They fear not God'. The Revised Version simply renders it as a fact without... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:1-23
Psalms 55:0 Betrayed by a friendDavid is worried and uncertain. He has found that so-called friends have been plotting against him (e.g. Ahithophel; 2 Samuel 15:12,2 Samuel 15:31; 2 Samuel 17:1-3) and he knows not which way to turn. He remembers things he saw certain people do and realizes now that they were treacherously aimed at his downfall (1-3).Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, David fears that death is upon him (4-5). He wishes that he could escape from it all. He would like to fly... read more