Psalms 55
DOYLYVer. 2, 3. Attend unto me, &c.] Attend unto me, and answer me, while in my complaint I weep and cry aloud, because of the insults of the enemy, and the oppression of the wicked: for they lay iniquity to my charge, and bear me a violent hatred. Green.
Psalms 55:3
- For strangers are risen up against me.] The Ziphites, though David’s countrymen, acted the part of “strangers,” or “aliens,” in seeking to deliver him up to his unjust and cruel enemy. Bp. Horne.
—they have not set God before them.] They have cast off all regard to his presence and authority, and all fear of his judgments. Poole.
Psalms 55:4
4.—the terrors of death are fallen upon me.] That is, I am brought to the very brink of destruction. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 55:6
- I will freely sacrifice unto thee.] I will sacrifice to Thee a voluntary oblation. Dr. Hammond.
The prayers of great men in distress, and their thanks-givings after great deliverances, have always been matter of uncommon delight to curiosity, and men of serious and religious spirits. Nor does the glory of any great man ever shine out to their eyes in half the lustre, as when they behold him upon his knees, lifting up his eyes, or stretching out his hands to heaven, or, what is yet greater, prostrating himself before it, in humiliation and acknowledgment. Then is the hero seen in all his dignity! Dr. Delaney. The royal Prophet here teaches us by his example that prayer should always be our refuge in time of danger; that, even when men have conspired our ruin, if we call upon God with a pure heart, He will protect us; and that, when He has granted our prayers, we ought to bless Him with all our soul. Ostervald.
Psalm LV. It is generally imagined that David composed this Psalm when he was forced to flee suddenly from Jerusalem, on the breaking out of Absalom’s rebellion, and the treachery of his principal counsellor Ahithophel, of whom he complains bitterly in the fourteenth verse. Travell.
Psalms 55:8
- I would hasten my escape &c.] I would hasten away to shelter myself from this fierce persecution, which like a sudden storm threatens utterly to destroy me. Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 55:9
- Destroy, O Lord, &c.] In these words, David beseeches God to divide, confound, and bring to nought, the counsels of an iniquitous faction; for so in the history we find him saying, “O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” 2 Sam. xv. 31. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 55:10
- Day and night they go &c.] The “violence and strife,” mentioned at the conclusion of the preceding verse, are here described as going their rounds, like an armed watch upon the walls, to guard rebellion, which had taken up its residence in the heart of the city, from the attacks of loyalty, right, and justice, driven with the king beyond Jordan. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 55:12
12—14. For it was not &c.] The many aggravating circumstances of Ahithophel’s treason against David, and that of Judas against Christ, are here strongly marked. The treachery of pretended friends is generally to the Church, as it was to her Lord, the beginning of sorrows. Ingratitude, malice, and falsehood, are ingredients that must always meet in the composition of a traitor. Bp. Horne.