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Christianity

Psalms 55Betrayed by a Friend

Summary

Psalm 55 is the lament of someone shaken by terror, longing for wings like a dove to fly away and be at rest. The city is full of violence and strife, and worst of all the betrayal comes from a close companion who once walked with him to God's house. His words are smoother than butter, yet war is in his heart. The psalmist resolves to pray evening, morning and noon, and urges, Cast thy burden upon the LORD.

Key verse

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Psalms 55:22

Themes

  • Betrayal
  • Longing for Escape
  • Prayer
  • Casting Burdens on God

Text

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 overwhelmed 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, 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: 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 broken 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 burden 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: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

  • Christianity

    1 Peter 5: Casting All Your Care

    1 Peter 5:7 urges believers to cast all their care upon God, because he cares for them, echoing Psalm 55:22.

  • Judaism

    Tehillim 55 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh

    Rabbinic tradition linked the treacherous friend to Ahithophel, David's counselor who joined Absalom, and verse 17 (18 in JPS) is cited alongside Daniel 6:10 for praying three times a day.

Questions about Psalms 55

Who betrayed David in Psalm 55?

The psalm does not give a name. Jewish and Christian interpreters have often thought of Ahithophel, who sided with Absalom (2 Samuel 15 to 17), and Christians also hear an echo of Judas.

What does Oh that I had wings like a dove mean?

Psalm 55:6 expresses a wish to escape trouble and find rest in a remote place. The line inspired Mendelssohn's well known anthem Hear My Prayer.