Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 55

Give ear. The four petitions of vs. 1, 2 reveal the intensity of the psalmist’s need. Hide not. See Ps. 13:1; 27:8; cf. Ps. 10:1.

I mourn in my complaint. Literally, “I wander in my concern.”

Oppression. Heb. ‘aqah, “pressure.” The word carries the idea of being crushed by a heavy weight.

Terrors of death. Knowing that only death would satisfy the conspirators, the psalmist already felt the shadow of death over him (see Ps. 116:3).

Horror. Heb. pallaṣuth, which seems to indicate deep agitation as a result of fear, is rare (see Job 21:6; Isa. 21:4; Eze. 7:18). The poet uses graphic language to express the intensity of his emotions.

The exquisite poetic beauty of this verse (see Jer. 9:2) gives poignant expression to the desire of every Christian who longs for relief from some continuing trouble. How often we wish that we could flee to a place where we could be safe from all annoyances! We forget that, on this earth, we carry our troubles with us unless we surrender them to Jesus. Let us not forget that there is a world into which trouble cannot enter; that world is heaven (see Rev. 21:4). Fly away. We need to beware of following the instinct that prompts us to escape from circumstances. If that desire becomes habitual, it is a morbid sign. Our work, our home, our relationships, our responsibilities, are a discipline essential to the development of Christian character. Rather than “fly away,” we should “call upon God” (v. 16). Be at rest. Literally, “dwell,” “abide.”

Wilderness. A place uninhabited by man (see Matt. 4:1). Doves are said to abound in wild rocky places in Palestine, far from the habitations of men. Selah. See p. 629.

They. Some suggest that “violence and strife” (v. 9) are here personified, and presented as surrounding the city. However, the subject may be the personal enemies.

Deceit and guile. Society in general was disorganized. Streets. Literally, “broad place,” “market place” (RSV), where civic business was carried on, where justice ought to be administered.

An enemy. The psalmist passes from the general mass of conspirators to one individual. Reproached. Or, “taunted.” Borne it. It is not difficult to stand up under the slander of an avowed enemy; it is the calumny of one who was once our bosom friend that is hard to bear, and often overwhelming. Hid myself. Instead of opening my heart to him.

Thou. See on v. 12.

We took. The Hebrew imperfect tense here denotes customary action. There were frequent, intimate counsels. Sweet counsel. Heb. sod, “close, intimate communion.” In company. Not only did they enjoy fellowship in private; they also associated in public worship. There is great pathos in this verse.

Go down. See Ps. 9:17; cf. Num. 16:30. Hell. Heb. she’ol, “the figurative abode of the dead” (see on Prov. 15:11). In their dwellings. See vs. 3, 9–11. Wickedness abounds in their houses, their transactions, their hearts. It is well for the community that wickedness should be punished.

As for me. In the Hebrew the pronoun stands at the beginning of the sentence and hence is emphatic. The psalmist speaks for himself and contrasts his attitude with the conduct of the traitors.

Evening, and morning. Daniel prayed three times daily (Dan. 6:10). True religion is strengthened by regular and frequent times of prayer (see Ps. 119:164).

Abideth of old. See Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2. Selah. The appearance of this word within a verse is uncommon (see Ps. 57:3). See p. 629. 20. He. The traitor who had been the psalmist’s intimate friend (see vs. 12–14). The psalmist reverts to a discussion of the treachery of his friend. Covenant. A relationship implied in close friendship.

Smoother than butter. He was a downright hypocrite (see Ps. 28:3; 57:4). The concrete images in this verse are graphic and impressive.

Burden. Heb. yehab, a word occurring only here in the OT; hence, its meaning is uncertain. The Talmud assigns to it the meaning “burden.” The LXX has merimna, “care,” “anxiety,” “worry.” Merimna occurs in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him.” The verb, merimnao, occurs in Matt. 6:34 and is translated “take thought,” better rendered “take anxious thought.”

These promises made to the righteous who cast themselves in faith upon God, the psalmist repeats to himself, and shares them with all who would learn from his experience. God does not always remove the load, but He supports those who set forward in faith. In his oratorio Elijah, Mendelssohn employs the words of this verse in the beautiful chorale for four voices sung after Elijah’s prayer for rain on Mt. Carmel.

Them. The enemies of the psalmist, the men described in the next clause. The pit of destruction. See Ps. 28:1. Bloody and deceitful men. Literally, “men of bloods and deceit.” They were the psalmist’s would-be murderers. Half their days. “Length of days” was a mark of God’s pleasure (see Prov. 3:2). God wants His children to live the normal life span. The indulgences of wickedness tend to shorten life. In thee. The psalmist will not trust in violence or deceit, but only in God (see Ps. 7:1; 11:1). Trust in God is one of the lofty concepts of the book of Psalms.