Psalms 55:1-23 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

This is the outcry of a man of faith in sore peril. The emotional nature is moved to its very center, and tides of deep feeling surge through his soul. He has been cruelly betrayed by his familiar friend, who would seem to have headed a conspiracy against him. It is really a revelation of how fellowship with God leads ultimately to the victory of faith.

Three movements are manifest. The first is fear. Appeal is made to God out of a consciousness of fearfulness, trembling, horror. So terrible is this fear that the man fain would fly away and escape it all (verses Psa 55:1-8). The troubled heart then breaks forth into fury. So mean is the method of the foe that the anger of the man is aroused, and he cries for vengeance against the oppressor (verses Psa 55:9-15). He then appeals to God, and at once declares that he is delivered. The wrong of the wicked is no less, but, calmly stated in the light of God, it is a burden to be cast on Him, and the conviction that He will deliver is created. Fear leads only to desire to flee. Fury only emphasizes the consciousness of wrong. Faith alone creates courage.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 55:1

Psalms 55:1-23

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

3 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.

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

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmeda me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21 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.

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

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