Psalms 55:1-3 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

A Desperate Plea For God To Hear Him In The Light Of The Terrible Oppression And Persecution That He Is Facing (Psalms 55:1-3).

David calls on God to hear his cries for help as he faces the threatenings of his enemies who are persecuting him.

Psalms 55:1-3

‘Give ear to my prayer, O God,

And do not hide yourself from my supplication.

Listen carefully to me, and answer me,

I am restless in my complaint, and moan agitatedly,

Because of the voice of the enemy,

Because of the oppression of the wicked,

For they roll iniquity on me,

And in anger they persecute me.'

Using three different methods of expression (‘give ear to -- do not hide yourself from my supplication -- listen carefully'), an indication of the completeness of his intercession, he calls on God to hear what he has to say. He is desperate for an answer. He is restless (roams around and therefore cannot sit still) as he considers what he has to complain about, and moans agitatedly, because of what his enemy is saying about him, and because of the oppression of unrighteous men. He is being verbally attacked on every side, and having his reputation ruined. For they are accusing him of all kinds of things (rolling iniquity on him as stones are rolled on an enemy) and in their rage against him are persecuting him. The darling of Israel's womenfolk has become the butt of men's jealous hatred. They are out to get him.

Psalms 55:1-3

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.