Psalms 55:9

Psalms 55:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
• New International Version (NIV)Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Context of Psalms 55:9

7I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude 8How quickly I would escape— far from this wild storm of hatred. Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city. 10Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. 11Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.

Psalms 55:9 word by word

בַּלַּ֣ע אֲ֭דֹנָי פַּלַּ֣ג לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם כִּֽי־רָאִ֨יתִי חָמָ֖ס וְרִ֣יב בָּעִֽיר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Destroyבָּלַעbâla‛ · to swallow upH1104
• O Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• divideפָּלַגpâlag · to divideH6385
• their tonguesלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongue: languageH3956
• for I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• violenceחָמָסchâmâs · violenceH2555
• and strifeרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• in the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892

Cross-references for Psalms 55:9

• Genesis 11:7Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
• 2 Samuel 15:31When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”
• 2 Samuel 17:1Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight.
• John 7:45When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
• Acts 23:6Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”
• Jeremiah 6:7She spouts evil like a fountain. Her streets echo with the sounds of violence and destruction. I always see her sickness and sores.
• Jeremiah 23:14But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.”
• Matthew 23:37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

Commentaries on Psalms 55:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Destroy, 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Destroy, 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…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. 1-23The psalmist faces enemies led by a former friend (Psalm 55:12–14). This causes him great distress. He prays to the Lord and trusts him for justice (Psalm 55:22–23). Jesus went through similar pain when Judas, his friend, betrayed him. He also experienced the psalmist’s prayer being answered: by taking the place of the wicked and receiving their punishment (Isaiah 53:7–9), and by trusting the Father, who saved (Luke 23:46) and rewarded him (Isaiah…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. Destroy--literally, "swallow" (Psa 21:9). divide their tongues--or, "confound their speech," and hence their counsels (Ge 11:7). the city--perhaps Jerusalem, the scene of anarchy.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 55:9

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Prayer
• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Counsel
• Equal
• Escape
• Hasted
• Neginoth
• Psalms
• Psalms, Book of
• Tongue
• Maschil
• strife, disputes, quarrel, arguing, conflict

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