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Psalms 55

Psalms book home•Chapter 55 of 150•23 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Psalms 55 Overview

David longs to fly away from violence in the city, describes the wound of treachery by an equal and friend, casts his burden on the LORD, and trusts God to judge deceitful men.

PsalmsBook

55Chapter

23Verses

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Before you read Psalms 55

Coming from

Psalm 54 centered on a short prayer when outsiders betray david's location. Psalms is an anthology rather than a continuous chronological story, so the connection here is canonical and thematic.

In this chapter

David longs to fly away from violence in the city, describes the wound of treachery by an equal and friend, casts his burden on the LORD, and trusts God to judge deceitful men.

Leads into

Psalm 56 turns to trusting god while enemies watch every step, continuing the Psalter’s arranged movement without requiring that the two psalms describe consecutive historical events.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Psalm 55 belongs to Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 42–72). The exact betrayer is not named in the superscription; similarities to Ahithophel are possible but should not be stated as certain.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Pain over betrayal by a familiar companion.

Lament truth

In Psalm 55, biblical faith brings grief, fear, confusion, and need directly to God rather than hiding them.

Trust truth

In Psalm 55, confidence in God rests on His character and rule, not on the absence of danger.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Lament connection

Hebrews 4:15-16 invites believers to come boldly for mercy and grace in need. This connection helps frame Psalm 55.

Trust connection

Isaiah 26:3-4 likewise grounds steadfast peace in trusting the everlasting LORD. This connection helps frame Psalm 55.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep lament in context

Do not mistake every anguished sentence in Psalm 55 for the psalmist’s settled theological conclusion; lament often voices how the crisis feels before faith answers it.

Keep trust in context

Trust in Psalm 55 is not a promise of immunity from suffering or death; it is confidence in God through the danger.

Read Psalms 55 watching for…

fear and trembling.

wings like dove.

violence in city.

equal guide acquaintance.

cast burden.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-8David is overwhelmed by fear and longs to escape like a dove 9-15Violence fills the city, and betrayal by a close companion deepens the pain 16-23David calls on God, casts his burden upon the LORD, and trusts his judgment

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

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:

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

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Psalms 55:4

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