Psalm 55:17-23

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 55:17

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray ,.... These being the stated times of prayer with the Jews, and which continued to later ages, Daniel 6:10 . These times, they say F2 Yalkut Simeoni in loc. , were fixed by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: the morning prayer by Abraham, according to Genesis 22:3 , the prayer of the "minchah" by Isaac, according to Genesis 24:63 ; and the evening prayer by Jacob, according to Genesis 28:11 . The prayer of the evening was at the time of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:18

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me ,.... That is, God had preserved his life, and delivered him safe and sound from many a battle which was fought against him, and might seem at first to go against him; and had given him peace and rest from all his enemies before the present trouble came upon him, 2 Samuel 7:1 ; wherefore he believed, that he who had delivered him in time past would deliver him again; this is the reasoning of faith, 2 Corinthians 1:9 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:19

God shall hear and afflict them ,.... That is, either he shall hear the prayers of his servant, imprecating evils upon his enemies, Psalm 55:9 ; and shall bring them down upon them, in answer to his requests; or it may be, rendered, "God shall hear and answer them" F3 ויענם "et respondeat illis", Cocceius. ; he shall hear their blasphemies, and take notice of their wickedness, and answer them by terrible things in righteousness; even he that abideth of old ; or "is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:20

He hath put forth his hands ,.... The psalmist returns and describes, in this verse Psalm 55:3 , the cruelty, perfidy, and hypocrisy of his false friend; who had stretched forth his hands against such as be at peace with him , or he pretended to be at peace with. So Ahithophel put forth his hands against David, by whom he had been admitted into his privy council, and there had taken sweet counsel together, by entering into a conspiracy and rebellion against him, and by forming a scheme... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:21

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter ,.... Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, "hail, master", and kissed him, Matthew 26:49 ; but war was in his heart ; even a civil war, rebellion against his prince; that was what Ahithophel meditated in his heart; and nothing less than to take away the life of Christ was designed by Judas. The words may be rendered, "they were divided" F5 חלקו ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the Lord ,.... These are either the words of the Holy Ghost to David, according to Jarchi; or of David to his own soul in distress, and may be directed to any good man in like circumstances. The word rendered "burden" signifies a gift and so the words are translated by many, "cast thy gift upon the Lord" F6 יהבך "donum tuum", Montanus; "quicquid dat tibi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; what he has given in a way of providence and of grace, acknowledge him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shall bring them down ,.... Ahithophel and his accomplices in the conspiracy against David, Judas and the wicked Jews concerned in Christ's death; and did not believe in him; into the pit of destruction , or "corruption" F9 שחת "corruptionis", Vatablus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth; approved by Gussetius, p. 850. ; either the grave, where bodies being put corrupt and putrefy; or hell, where the wicked are punished with everlasting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:17

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray - This was the custom of the pious Hebrews. See Daniel 6:10 . The Hebrews began their day in the evening, and hence David mentions the evening first. The rabbins say, Men should pray three times each day, because the day changes three times. This was observed in the primitive Church; but the times, in different places, were various. The old Psalter gives this a curious turn: "At even I sall tel his louing (praise) what tim Crist was on the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:18

He hath delivered my soul - My life he has preserved in perfect safety from the sword; for there were many with me: "for in many afflictions his Word was my support." - Targum. Or David may refer to the supernatural assistance which was afforded him when his enemies were so completely discomfited. read more

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