Psalms 55:20

Psalms 55:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
• New International Version (NIV)My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
• English Standard Version (ESV)My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant.

Context of Psalms 55:20

18He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. 19God will hear and humble them, Even He who sits enthroned from old— Selah. Because in them there has been no change [of heart], And they do not fear God [at all]. He [my companion] has put out his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant [of friendship and loyalty]. 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But his heart was hostile; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. 22Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

Psalms 55:20 word by word

שָׁלַ֣ח יָ֭דָיו בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו חִלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He hath put forthשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: reachH7971
• his handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• against such as be at peaceשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peace: friendshipH7965
• with him: he hath brokenחָלַלchâlal · to profane/begin: profaneH2490
• his covenantבְּרִיתberîyth · covenantH1285

Cross-references for Psalms 55:20

• 1 Samuel 22:17And the king said to the guards who stood around him, “Turn around and kill the priests of the Lord, because their loyalty also is with David, and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not inform me.” But the servants of the king were not willing to put out their hands to attack the Lord’s priests.
• 1 Samuel 24:10Behold, your eyes have seen today how the Lord had given you into my hand in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not reach out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
• 2 Samuel 18:12The man told Joab, “Even if I were to feel the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hands, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for we all heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘Protect the young man Absalom, for my sake.’
• Acts 12:1Now at that time Herod [Agrippa I] the king [of the Jews] arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to harm them.
• Psalms 7:4If I have done evil to him who was at peace with me, Or without cause robbed him who was my enemy,
• Psalms 109:5They have repaid me evil for good, And hatred for my love.
• Psalms 120:6Too long my soul has had its dwelling With those who hate peace.
• Psalms 89:28My lovingkindness I will keep for him forevermore, And My covenant will be confirmed to him.
• 2 Samuel 2:4Then the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. Then they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”
• 2 Samuel 5:3So all the elders (tribal leaders) of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed him king over Israel.
• 2 Samuel 14:32Absalom answered Joab, “I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come [back] from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there.” ’ Now then, let me see the king’s face, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.”
• 2 Samuel 15:10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ”
• Ecclesiastes 8:2I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
• Ezekiel 17:16As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely in the country of the king (Nebuchadnezzar) who made Zedekiah [the vassal] king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, in Babylon Zedekiah shall die.

Commentaries on Psalms 55:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20He hath put forth his hands - A farther description of Ahithophel. He betrayed his friends, and he broke his covenant with his king. He had agreed to serve David for his own emolument, and a stipulation was made accordingly; but while receiving the king's pay, he was endeavoring to subvert the kingdom, and destroy the life of his sovereign.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him - Against those who were his friends, or who had given him no occasion for war. The Septuagint and Vulgate render this, “He hath put forth his hands in recompensing;” that is, in taking vengeance. The Hebrew would bear this construction, but the more correct rendering is that in our common version. The “connection” here would seem to indicate that this is to be referred to God, as God is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and he will save us. He shall hear us, and not blame us for coming too often; the oftener the more welcome. David had thought all were against him; but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and the glory of this he gives to God, for it is he that raises us up friends, and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends, than in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21God is good and faithful, but the psalmist’s enemies and so-called friend are deceitful and wicked.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2120-21. The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, Psa 55:15, 23, and here, enliven the picture, and imply that the chief traitor and his accomplices are in view together.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 55:20

• Friends
• Hypocrisy

In the dictionaries

• Counsel
• Equal
• Escape
• Hasted
• Neginoth
• Psalms
• Covenant, in the Old Testament
• Psalms, Book of
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 55

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings