13 But it was thou, a man H582 mine equal, H6187 my guide, H441 and mine acquaintance. H3045
And G2532 while G2089 he G846 yet G2089 spake, G2980 lo, G2400 Judas, G2455 one G1520 of the twelve, G1427 came, G2064 and G2532 with G3326 him G846 a great G4183 multitude G3793 with G3326 swords G3162 and G2532 staves, G3586 from G575 the chief priests G749 and G2532 elders G4245 of the people. G2992 Now G1161 he that betrayed G3860 him G846 gave G1325 them G846 a sign, G4592 saying, G3004 Whomsoever G3739 G302 I shall kiss, G5368 that same G846 is G2076 he: G846 hold G2902 him G846 fast. G2902 And G2532 forthwith G2112 he came G4334 to Jesus, G2424 and said, G2036 Hail, G5463 master; G4461 and G2532 kissed G2705 him. G846 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Friend, G2083 wherefore G1909 G3739 art thou come? G3918 Then G5119 came they, G4334 and laid G1911 hands G5495 on G1909 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 took G2902 him. G846
And G1161 he that betrayed G3860 him G846 had given G1325 them G846 a token, G4953 saying, G3004 Whomsoever G3739 G302 I shall kiss, G5368 that same G846 is he; G2076 take G2902 him, G846 and G2532 lead him away G520 safely. G806 And G2532 as soon as he was come, G2064 he goeth G4334 straightway G2112 to him, G846 and saith, G3004 Master, G4461 master; G4461 and G2532 kissed G2705 him. G846
And G1161 while he G846 yet G2089 spake, G2980 behold G2400 a multitude, G3793 and G2532 he that was called G3004 Judas, G2455 one G1520 of the twelve, G1427 went before G4281 them, G846 and G2532 drew near G1448 unto Jesus G2424 to kiss G5368 him. G846 But G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Judas, G2455 betrayest thou G3860 the Son G5207 of man G444 with a kiss? G5370
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 55
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.