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 hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for they were many that strove with me. 19God shall hear, and answer them, even he that abideth of old, Selah the men who have no changes, and who fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: he hath profaned his covenant. 21His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 55:20 word by word

שָׁלַ֣ח יָ֭דָיו בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו חִלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• forthשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• againstיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• suchאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834

Cross-references for Psalms 55:20

• 1 Samuel 22:17And the king said unto the guard that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and did not disclose it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
• 1 Samuel 24:10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.
• 2 Samuel 18:12And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
• Acts 12:1Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
• Psalms 7:4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause was mine adversary:)
• Psalms 109:5And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
• Psalms 120:6My soul hath long had her dwelling with him that hateth peace.
• Psalms 89:28My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
• 2 Samuel 2:4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, The men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.
• 2 Samuel 5:3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
• 2 Samuel 14:32And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it were better for me to be there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be iniquity in me, let him kill me.
• 2 Samuel 15:10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2I counsel thee, Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
• Ezekiel 17:16As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he 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