Psalms 55:5
Psalms 55:5 in Multiple Translations
Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fear and shaking have come over me, with deep fear I am covered.
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me.
Fear and trembling come in to me, And horror doth cover me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
I am very fearful and I tremble/shake, and I am completely terrified.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 55:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 55:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לִ֭בִּ/י
יָחִ֣יל
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֑/י
וְ/אֵימ֥וֹת
מָ֝֗וֶת
נָפְל֥וּ
עָלָֽ/י
לִ֭בִּ/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
יָחִ֣יל
chûwl
H2342
to twist
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֑/י
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/אֵימ֥וֹת
ʼêymâh
H367
terror
Conj | N-fp
מָ֝֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
נָפְל֥וּ
nâphal
H5307
to fall
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
עָלָֽ/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 55:5
לִ֭בִּ/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
יָחִ֣יל
chûwl
H2342
"to twist"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to twist or whirl, and can describe dancing, pain, or fear. It is used to convey strong emotions or physical struggles, such as childbirth or great fear.
Definition: : tremble/fear 1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dance 1a2) to twist, writhe 1a3) to whirl, whirl about 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to dance 1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth 1b3) to wait anxiously 1c) (Pulal) 1c1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear 1c2) to be brought forth 1d) (Hophal) to be born 1e) (Hithpolel) 1e1) whirling (participle) 1e2) writhing, suffering torture (participle) 1e3) to wait longingly 1f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded. See also: Genesis 8:10; Proverbs 8:24; Psalms 10:5.
בְּ/קִרְבִּ֑/י
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
וְ/אֵימ֥וֹת
ʼêymâh
H367
"terror"
Conj | N-fp
The Hebrew word for terror or dread, used to describe fear or horror, and sometimes an idol that inspires fear. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of awe or fright. This word is used in various contexts, including descriptions of God's power.
Definition: terror, dread
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: dread, fear, horror, idol, terrible, terror. See also: Genesis 15:12; Job 20:25; Psalms 55:5.
מָ֝֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
נָפְל֥וּ
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
עָלָֽ/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
Study Notes — Psalms 55:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 55:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 55:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 55:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 55:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 55:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
- Sermons on Psalms 55:5
Context — Cast Your Burden upon the LORD
3at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster upon me and resent me in their anger.
4My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
5Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. 7How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. SelahCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 119:120 | My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments. |
| 2 | Job 21:6 | When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 15:14 | And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 21:4 | My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror. |
| 5 | Luke 22:44 | And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. |
| 6 | Job 6:4 | For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. |
| 7 | Psalms 88:15–16 | From my youth I was afflicted and near death. I have borne Your terrors; I am in despair. Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. |
| 8 | Psalms 61:2 | From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. |
| 9 | Job 23:15–16 | Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 7:18 | They will put on sackcloth, and terror will overwhelm them. Shame will cover all their faces, and all their heads will be shaved. |
Psalms 55:5 Summary
Psalms 55:5 says that fear and trembling gripped David, and horror overwhelmed him. This means he felt extremely scared and unsure about what was happening. We can feel this way too when we're in difficult situations, but we can remember that God is always with us (as in Psalms 46:1-3) and that He can give us peace even in the midst of fear (as in Philippians 4:6-7). By trusting in God's presence and power, we can find rest and refuge, just like David longed for in Psalms 55:6-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of fear and trembling in Psalms 55:5?
The fear and trembling mentioned in Psalms 55:5 indicate a deep sense of dread and anxiety, similar to what is described in Psalms 51:8, where David's bones are filled with fear and his strength has failed him due to his sin, and also in Proverbs 28:1, which says the righteous are as bold as a lion, but the wicked are filled with fear.
Is it normal for a believer to feel horror and fear like David did in Psalms 55:5?
Yes, it is normal for believers to experience fear and horror, as seen in Psalms 55:5, and as expressed by other Bible characters, such as Job in Job 3:25, who feared what he did not know would happen, and in 1 Peter 3:13-14, which encourages believers not to fear what others may do to them but to be prepared to give an answer for their hope.
How does David's fear and trembling in Psalms 55:5 compare to other instances of fear in the Bible?
David's fear and trembling in Psalms 55:5 is similar to the fear experienced by other Bible characters, such as Moses in Exodus 3:6 and Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5, who both felt a deep sense of fear and awe in the presence of God, highlighting that fear can be a natural response to overwhelming situations, whether spiritual or physical, as seen in Matthew 14:30 where Peter became afraid when walking on the water.
What can we learn from David's emotional state in Psalms 55:5?
We can learn that even in the midst of fear and trembling, like David in Psalms 55:5, we can trust in God's presence and power, as seen in Psalms 23:4, where David says he will fear no evil because God is with him, and in Romans 8:28, which reminds us that all things work together for our good if we love God and are called according to His purpose.
Reflection Questions
- What are some situations in my life that make me feel fear and trembling, and how can I apply the principles from Psalms 55:5 to those situations?
- How can I, like David, express my emotions honestly to God and trust in His presence and power, as seen in Psalms 55:5 and other scriptures?
- What are some ways I can remember God's faithfulness and love in the midst of fear and uncertainty, as David did in Psalms 55:5?
- In what ways can I, like David, long for a place of rest and refuge, as expressed in Psalms 55:6-7, and how can I find that rest in God?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me,.... Fear and dread of mind, and trembling of body; and horror hath overwhelmed me; or "covered me"; he was in the utmost consternation and surprise at what
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me ... And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
Psalms 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.Ver. 5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me] Fearfulness of heart, and trembling of body, Timor cordis, tremor corporis; which last falleth out, when as the spirits flying back to the heart, to relieve it, leave the outward parts destitute. And horror hath overwhelmed me] This was David’ s infirmity; for he should have better fortified his heart against that cowardly passion of fear; the devil also had a finger in it. At another time David could better resolve and say, What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
Verse 5. Fearfulness] How natural is this description! He is in distress; - he mourns; - makes a noise; - sobs and sighs; - his heart is wounded - he expects nothing but death; - this produces fear; - this produces tremor, which terminates in that deep apprehension of approaching and inevitable ruin that overwhelms him with horror. No man ever described a wounded heart like David.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 55:5
5. horror hath overwhelmed me] The same phrase as in Ezekiel 7:18, “horror shall cover them.” The word occurs besides only in Job 21:6; Isaiah 21:4.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling - Fear so great as to produce trembling. Compare the notes at Job 4:14. He knew not when these things would end.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 55:5
5. Horror—A rare word, translated trembling, Job 21:6; fearfulness, Isaiah 21:4; and horror, Ezekiel 7:18. Overwhelmed me— Septuagint, darkness has enveloped me. The psalmist was involved in doubt and apprehension.
Sermons on Psalms 55:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sola Scriptura 2 by Anton Bosch | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding that God operates by order and structure. He uses the example of the law of gravity to illustrate that just |
|
Sensitive to Warning by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to God's warnings, as exemplified by King Josiah, who humbled himself and trembled at God's Word. Spurgeon highlights tha |
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That They Have Great Effects on the Body, Is No Sign by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards discusses the effects of affections on the body, emphasizing that all affections, whether spiritual or not, have some impact on the body due to the close connectio |
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Fear and Awe by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the distinction between fleshly fear and reverential awe of God, urging believers to recognize the power of God's judgments rather than succumbing to anx |
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Psalm 3 by Carl Armerding | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of crying out to the Lord in times of need. He shares a personal testimony of a doctor who was also a minister and how he expe |
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(2 Samuel) Treachery and Loyalty by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the character of Absalom and his cunning tactics to win the hearts of the people of Israel. Absalom would sympathize with anyone who came to |
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Gethsemane by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. He begins by emphasizing the love of Jesus, who willingly came down to earth to die on th |