55 1 David being in great heaviness and distress, complaineth of the cruelty of Saul, 13 and of the falsehood of his familiar acquaintance, 17 Uttering the most ardent affections to move the Lord to pity him. 22 After, being assured of deliverance, he setteth forth the grace of God, as though he had already obtained his request.
To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalm of David to give instruction.
1 Hear [a]my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Hearken unto me, and answer me: I mourn in my prayer, and make a noise,
3 For the [b]voice of the enemy, and for the vexation of the wicked, because [c]they have brought iniquity upon me, and furiously hate me.
4 Mine heart trembleth within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible fear hath [d]covered me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove: then would I [e]fly away and rest.
7 Behold I would take my flight far off, and lodge in the wilderness. Selah.
8 He would make haste for my deliverance [f]from the stormy wind and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and [g]divide their tongues: for I have seen cruelty and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof, both [h]iniquity and mischief are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 Surely mine [i]enemy did not defame me, for I could have borne it: neither did mine adversary exalt himself against me: for I would have hid me from him.
13 But it was thou, O man, even my [j]companion, my guide, and my familiar:
14 Which delighted in consulting together, and went into the house of God as companions.
15 Let death seize upon them: let them [k]go down quick into the grave: for wickedness is in their dwellings even in the midst of them.
16 But I will call unto God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning, and at noon will I pray [l]and make a noise, and he will hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for [m]many were with me.
19 God shall hear and afflict them, even he that reigneth of old, Selah: because they [n]have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He [o]laid his hand upon such as be at peace with him, and he brake his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were softer than butter, yet war was in his heart, his words were more gentle than oil, yet they were swords.
22 Cast thy [p]burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee: he will not suffer the righteous to fall [q]forever.
23 And thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of corruption: the bloody, and deceitful men shall not live [r]half their days: but I will trust in thee.
Footnotes
- Psalm 55:1 The earnestness of his prayer declareth the vehemency of his grief insomuch as he is compelled to burst out into cries.
- Psalm 55:3 For the threatnings of Saul and his adherents.
- Psalm 55:3 They have defamed me as a wicked person, or they have imagined my destruction.
- Psalm 55:5 There was no part of him, that was not astonished with extreme fear.
- Psalm 55:6 Fear had driven him to so great distress, that he wished to be hid in some wilderness, and to be banished from that kingdom which God had promised that he should enjoy.
- Psalm 55:8 From the cruel rage and tyranny of Saul.
- Psalm 55:9 As in the confusion of Babylon when the wicked conspired against God.
- Psalm 55:10 All laws and good orders are broken, and only vice and dissolation reigneth under Saul.
- Psalm 55:12 If mine open enemy had sought mine hurt, I could the better have avoided him.
- Psalm 55:13 Which was not only joined to me in friendship and counsel in worldly matters, but also in religion.
- Psalm 55:15 As Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
- Psalm 55:17 Which signifieth a fervent mind and sure trust to obtain his portion, which thing made him earnest at all times in prayer.
- Psalm 55:18 Even the Angels of God fought on my side against mine enemies, 2 Kings 6:16.
- Psalm 55:19 But their prosperous estate still continueth.
- Psalm 55:20 I did not provoke him, but was as at peace with him, yet he made war against me.
- Psalm 55:22 Or, gift, to wit, which thou wouldest that God should give thee.
- Psalm 55:22 Though for their bettering and trial, he suffer them to slip for a time.
- Psalm 55:23 Though they sometimes live longer, yet their life is cursed of God, unquiet, and worse than any death.