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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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:6

And I said, oh that I had wings like a dove ,.... The psalmist pitches upon this creature, partly to suggest that his enemies pursuing him were like the ravenous hawk, and he like the harmless, innocent, and trembling dove; and partly because of its swiftness in flying. Aben Ezra thinks the dove is mentioned, because it is sociable with men, and who send letters by them for quick dispatch, of which instances may be given F18 Vid. Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 9. c. 2. . This wish is expressed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:7

Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness ,.... So David did when he fled from Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:23 ; so gracious souls desire to be; not in the wilderness of the people; but to be solitary as in a wilderness, clear of the company of wicked men, as Jeremiah wished for, Jeremiah 9:2 ; and that they might be more at leisure for and given up unto spiritual devotion, and be secure from their enemies: and as this may be applied to Christ, it shows the wickedness,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:8

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. Of an army of rebellious subjects, bearing down all before them, and threatening with utter ruin and destruction; so a powerful army of enemies invading a country is signified by a storm and tempest, Isaiah 28:2 ; and may be expressive of the storm and tempest of divine wrath and vengeance the sensible sinner hastens his escape from by fleeing to Christ; and of the blowing and furious winds of persecution, which the church,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:1

Give ear to my prayer - The frequency of such petitions shows the great earnestness of David's soul. If God did not hear and help, he knew he could not succeed elsewhere; therefore he continues to knock at the gate of God's mercy. read more

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