Worthy.Bible » DARBY » Psalms » Chapter 55 » Verse 12

Psalms 55:12 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

12 For it is not an enemy that hath reproached me -- then could I have borne it; neither is it he that hateth me that hath magnified [himself] against me -- then would I have hidden myself from him;

Cross Reference

Psalms 41:9 DARBY

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I confided, who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

Psalms 35:26 DARBY

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine adversity; let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

Matthew 26:21-23 DARBY

And as they were eating he said, Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up. And being exceedingly grieved they began to say to him, each of them, Is it *I*, Lord? But he answering said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, *he* it is who shall deliver me up.

John 13:18 DARBY

I speak not of you all. I know those whom I have chosen; but that the scripture might be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalms 38:16 DARBY

For I said, Let them not rejoice over me! When my foot slipped, they magnified [themselves] against me.

Isaiah 10:15 DARBY

-- Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? As if the rod should wield them that lift it up; as if the staff should lift up [him who is] not wood!

John 18:2-3 DARBY

And Judas also, who delivered him up, knew the place, because Jesus was often there, in company with his disciples. Judas therefore, having got the band, and officers of the chief priests and Pharisees, comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Commentary on Psalms 55 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 55

Ps 55:1-23. In great terror on account of enemies, and grieved by the treachery of a friend, the Psalmist offers an earnest prayer for relief. He mingles confident assurances of divine favor to himself with invocations and predictions of God's avenging judgments on the wicked. The tone suits David's experience, both in the times of Saul and Absalom, though perhaps neither was exclusively before his mind.

1. hide not thyself, &c.—(compare Ps 13:1; 27:9), withhold not help.

2. The terms of the last clause express full indulgence of grief.

3. oppression—literally, "persecution."

they … iniquity—literally, "they make evil doings slide upon me."

4, 5. express great alarm.

5. come upon—or literally, "into."

6. be at rest—literally, "dwell," that is, permanently.

7, 8. Even a wilderness is a safer place than exposure to such evils, terrible as storm and tempest.

9. Destroy—literally, "swallow" (Ps 21:9).

divide their tongues—or, "confound their speech," and hence their counsels (Ge 11:7).

the city—perhaps Jerusalem, the scene of anarchy.

10, 11. which is described in detail (compare Ps 7:14-16).

11. Wickedness—literally, "Mischief," evils resulting from others (Ps 5:9; 52:2, 7).

streets—or literally, "wide places," markets, courts of justice, and any public place.

12-14. This description of treachery does not deny, but aggravates, the injury from enemies.

13. guide—literally, "friend" (Pr 16:28; 17:9).

acquaintance—in Hebrew, a yet more intimate associate.

14. in company—literally, "with a crowd," in a festal procession.

15. Let death, &c.—or, "Desolations are on them."

let them go—literally, "they will go."

quick—or, living in the midst of life, death will come (compare Nu 16:33).

among them—or, "within them," in their hearts (Ps 5:9; 49:11).

16-18. God answers his constant and repeated prayers.

18. many with me—that is, by the context, fighting with me.

19. God hears the wicked in wrath.

abideth—or, "sitteth."

of old—enthroned as a sovereign.

Because … no changes—Prosperity hardens them (Ps 73:5).

20, 21. The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, Ps 55:15, 23, and here, enliven the picture, and imply that the chief traitor and his accomplices are in view together.

22. thy burden—literally, "gift," what is assigned you.

he shall sustain—literally, "supply food," and so all need (Ps 37:25; Mt 6:11).

to be moved—from the secure position of His favor (compare Ps 10:6).

23. bloody … days—(compare Ps 5:6; 51:14), deceit and murderous dispositions often united. The threat is directed specially (not as a general truth) against the wicked, then in the writer's view.