Psalms 55:3

3 at the mean voice, quail before the evil eye, As they pile on the guilt, stockpile angry slander.

Psalms 55:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 55:3

Because of the voice of the enemy
Of Absalom, as Arama; or of Ahithophel, who gave out he would smite the king only, ( 2 Samuel 17:2 ) ; and so of any spiritual enemy, as sin, Satan, and the world, when they threaten dominion and tyranny; and of the Scribes and Pharisees reproaching Christ, as being a Samaritan, and having a devil, and doing his miracles by his assistance; menacing, insulting, and triumphing over him, when on the cross;

because of the oppression of the wicked;
of Absalom or Ahithophel, as Arama; who conspired against David, and obliged him to quit his palace, and the city of Jerusalem; and is applicable to the troubles which surround the people of God, from every quarter, by wicked men, and to our Lord's being enclosed by them at the time of his Crucifixion, ( Psalms 22:12 Psalms 22:13 Psalms 22:16 ) ;

for they cast iniquity upon me;
laid things to his charge he knew not: so wicked men falsely accuse the good conversation of the saints; and so the Jews imputed crimes to Christ he was innocent of; as immorality, sedition, blasphemy

and in wrath they hate me;
as they do all the people of God, because chosen and called, and separated from them: and so they did Christ, and with a mortal hatred, though without a cause.

Psalms 55:3 In-Context

1 Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don't pretend you don't hear me knocking.
2 Come close and whisper your answer. I really need you.
3 at the mean voice, quail before the evil eye, As they pile on the guilt, stockpile angry slander.
4 My insides are turned inside out; specters of death have me down.
5 I shake with fear, I shudder from head to foot.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.