Psalms 55:1-7

1 God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my cry for help.

2 Pay attention to me and answer me. I am troubled and upset

3 by what the enemy says and how the wicked look at me. They bring troubles down on me, and in anger they attack me.

4 I am frightened inside; the terror of death has attacked me.

5 I am scared and shaking, and terror grips me.

6 I said, "I wish I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away and rest.

7 I would wander far away and stay in the desert.Selah

Psalms 55:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil [A Psalm] of David. The occasion of this psalm was either the persecution of Saul, or the conspiracy of Absalom. Some think it was written when David understood that the inhabitants of Keilah would deliver him into the hands of Saul, 1 Samuel 23:12; and others when the Ziphites attempted a second time to do the same, 1 Samuel 26:1; but since a single person is spoken of that magnified himself against him, Psalm 55:12; and Ahithophel seems to be designed; it may be thought rather to be written on account of Absalom's rebellion, and Ahithophel's counsel against him; who is considered by many Christian interpreters as a type of Judas, the betrayer of our Lord; and, indeed, there are many things in this psalm, if not the whole, which may be truly applied to Christ, as will be seen in the following exposition of it.