English Standard Version
Psalms 55:12
12For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.
Psalms 55:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
- New International Version (NIV)If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
- New Living Translation (NLT)It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them.
Context of Psalms 55:12
10Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; 11ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. 13But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.
Read all of Psalms 55Psalms 55:12 word by word
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־אוֹיֵ֥ב יְחָֽרְפֵ֗נִי וְאֶ֫שָּׂ֥א לֹֽא־מְ֭שַׂנְאִי עָלַ֣י הִגְדִּ֑יל וְאֶסָּתֵ֥ר מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 55:12
- Psalms 41:9Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
- Psalms 35:26Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!
- Psalms 38:16For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!"
- Isaiah 10:15Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!
- Matthew 26:21And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
- John 13:18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'
- John 18:2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
Commentaries on Psalms 55:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12It was not an enemy - It is likely that in all these three verses Ahithophel is meant, who, it appears, had been at the bottom of the conspiracy from the beginning; and probably was the first mover of the vain mind of Absalom to do what he did.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For it was not an enemy that reproached me - The word “reproached” here refers to slander; calumny; abuse. It is not necessarily implied that it was in his presence, but he was apprized of it. When he says that it is not an enemy that did this, the meaning is that it was not one who had been an avowed and open foe. The severest part of the trial did not arise from the fact that it was done by such an one, for that he could have borne. That which…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-15Verses 9-15 No wickedness so distresses the believer, as that which he witnesses in those who profess to be of the church of God. Let us not be surprised at the corruptions and disorders of the church on earth, but long to see the New Jerusalem. He complains of one that had been very industrious against him. God often destroys the enemies of the church by dividing them. And an interest divided against itself cannot long stand. The true Christian must…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-20The psalmist's enemy used to be a friend. Remembering their close relationship causes him pain (see Psalm 31:11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 12-1412-14. This description of treachery does not deny, but aggravates, the injury from enemies.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 55:12
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries