Psalms 55:13-23

13 But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.

14 We used to hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship.

15 Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves.

16 But I call upon God; and the LORD will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice.

18 He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.

19 God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [Selah]

20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant.

21 His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

23 But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee.

Psalms 55:13-23 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.