Psalm 55:9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 55:9

Destroy, O Lord ,.... Or "swallow up" F19 בלע "degluti", Montanus, Tigurine version; "absorbe", Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. , as Pharaoh and his host were swallowed up in the Red sea; or as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were swallowed up in the earth; so all the enemies of Christ and his church will be destroyed; and death, the last of them, will be swallowed up in victory, Isaiah 25:8 . The Targum interprets it, "destroy", or "scatter their counsel": but this seems to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:9

Destroy, O lord - Swallow them up - confound them. Divide their tongues - Let his counsellors give opposite advice. Let them never agree, and let their devices be confounded. And the prayer was heard. Hushai and Ahithophel gave opposite counsel. Absalom followed that of Hushai; and Ahithophel, knowing that the steps advised by Hushai would bring Absalom's affairs to ruin, went and hanged himself. See 2 Samuel 15, 16, and 17. Violence and strife in the city - They have been concerting... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 55:9

Verse 9 9.Destroy, (303) O Lord; and divide their tongue Having now composed, as it were, his mind, he resumes the exercise of prayer. Had he indulged longer in the strain of complaint, he might have given his sanction to the folly of those who do themselves more harm than good by the excessive use of this barren species of comfort. There will occasionally escape from the lips of a saint, when he prays, some complaining exclamations which cannot be altogether justified, but he soon recalls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 55:1-23

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 55:9

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues . The second clause contains a reference to the confusion of tongues at Babel ( Genesis 11:7 ). "Introduce confusion into their counsels, and disperse them, as thou didst with the wicked ones who were forced to leave off to build the Tower." For I have seen violence and strife in the city . Such quarrels and broils, i.e ; as usually precede revolutionary disturbance. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 55:9-15

With a sudden transition, the writer passes from his own suffering, fears, and longings, to imprecations on his enemies, and a description of their wicked proceedings. In the course of his description he singles out one individual for special remark—one who had been his own guide, companion, and friend—but who had turned against him, and joined the company of his adversaries ( Psalms 55:12-14 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 55:9-15

A picture of corrupt city life and private life, and a denunciation of God's judgments upon them. I. CORRUPT CITY LIFE . ( Psalms 55:10 , Psalms 55:11 .) 1 . Corrupt in every part , on the walls and in the interior. Violence and strife reign unchecked universally. 2 . Falsehood and deceit ruled in the market-place. ( Psalms 55:11 .) In the square, or market-place, near the gates, where was the general place of concourse, men cheated and deceived each other in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 55:9

Destroy, O Lord - The word rendered “destroy,” properly means to “swallow up;” to “devour” with the idea of greediness. Isaiah 28:4; Exodus 7:12; Jonah 1:17; Jeremiah 51:34. Then it is used in the sense of “destroy,” Job 20:18; Proverbs 1:12. The reference here is to the persons who had conspired against David. It is a prayer that they, and their counsels, might be destroyed: such a prayer as people always offer who pray for victory in battle. It is a prayer that the may be successful in what... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 55:9

Psalms 55:9. Destroy, O Lord, and divide Destroy them by dividing their tongues Their speech, as thou didst at Babel, (Genesis 11:0.,) their votes, and opinions, and counsels. Which was eminently done among Absalom’s followers, 2 Samuel 17:0. I have seen violence and strife Injustice and fraud, oppression and contention rule there, instead of that public justice and peace which I established. In the city In Jerusalem, which in Absalom’s time was a sink of all sins. And this... read more

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