Psalm 55

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Give ear to my prayer. (1-2)

A. Do not hide from my supplication.

B. Attend unto me, and hear me:

1. I mourn in my complaint.

2. I make a noise.

II. The reasons for the request. (3-5, 9-11)

A. Because of the voice of the enemy.

B. Because of the oppression of the wicked.

C. Because they cast iniquity upon me.

D. Because, in wrath, they hate me.

E. Because my heart is sore pained within me.

F. Because the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

1. Fearfulness.

2. Trembling.

3. Overwhelming horror.

G. Violence and strife in the city.

H. Mischief and sorrow.

I. Wickedness.

J. Deceit and guile.

III. What the psalmist would like to do. (6-8)

A. Have wings like a dove to fly away and be at rest.

B. Wander off and remain in the wilderness.

C. Hasten to escape from the windy storm and tempest.

IV. The response of his friend--his equal, his guide, his acquaintance with whom he had enjoyed fellowship in God. (12-14)

A. Reproached him.

B. Magnified himself against him.

V. The requests of the psalmist. (15)

A. Let death seize upon them.

B. Let them go down quick into hell because wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

VI. As for the psalmist, he will. (16-17)

A. Call upon God.

B. Pray and cry aloud at evening, morning, and noon.

VII. God’s response. (17-21)

A. He will hear my voice.

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

C. He will afflict the enemy because:

1. They have not changed.

2. They have no fear of God.

3. They have broken their covenant and attacked those who were at peace with them.

4. Their words were:

a. Smooth as butter, but war was in their heart.

b. Softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

VIII. The bottom line of it all: Trust in God! (22-23)

A. Cast Thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. “Cast” means to throw or fling our cares upon Him.

B. God shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

C. God, shall bring the enemy down into the pit of destruction.

D. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 55,4(3) עָקַת {A} MT, G, σ', S, T // lic: Hebr

Ps 55,7(6) וָאֹמַר {A}

Ps 55,10(9)A בַּלַּע MT, G, σ', Hebr, S // glos: T

Ps 55,10(9)B אֲדֹנָי {A}

Ps 55,10(9)C פַּלַּג {A} MT, G, σ', Hebr, T // lic: S

Ps 55,13(12) לֹא[...]לֹא {C} MT, σ', Hebr, S, T // facil-synt: G

Ps 55,15(14) נְהַלֵּךְ {A}

Ps 55,16(15) בִּמְגוּרָם בְּקִרְבָּם {A} MT, G, Hebr, T // abr-styl: S

Ps 55,19(18)A מִקְּרָב־לִי

Ps 55,19(18)B כִּֽי־בְרַבִּ֗ים {C} MT, G, σ', Hebr, T // usu: anon S clav כִּי־בְרָבִים