Salmos 55
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 55:1-3
55:1-3 This, like many Psalms in this section, deals with personal attacks. This Psalm is particularly painful because the assailants are friends (cf. Ps. 55:12-14). There are several IMPERATIVES OF REQUEST, one JUSSIVE, and two COHORTATIVES. give ear – BDB 24, KB 27, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 5:1; 17:1; 39:12; 49:1; 54:2, etc. do not hide Yourself – BDB 761, KB 834, Hithpael IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Ps. 10:1; Lam. 3:56 give heed – BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 5:2; 10:17; 17:1; 61:1; 86:6; 142:6 answer me – BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 4:1; 13:3; 17:6; 38:15; 60:5; 69:13,16,17; 86:1, etc. I am restless – BDB 923, KB 1194, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense rare word used only four times, only here in Wisdom Literature; its meaning is unsure JPSOA takes this word as "moan," BDB 242, cf. Ps. 42:12; 43:5; 77:4 NKJV has "moan (BDB 242) noisily" (BDB 223) I am surely distracted (lit. "be noisy") — BDB 223, KB 242, Hiphil COHORTATIVE, cf. LXX The reasons for the psalmist's cry for help is given in Ps. 55:3. because of the voice of my enemy because of the pressure of the wicked (or "voice," see note) for they bring down (NET Bible suggests "rain down," cf. Ps. 140:10) upon me for in anger they bear a grudge against me 55:2b This line of poetry has two VERBS. "restless" ‒ BDB 923, KB 1194, Hiphil IMPERFECT, cf. Gen. 27:40 (LXX, "vexed," JPSOA, "complaining") "distracted" ‒ BDB 223, KB 242, Hiphil COHORTATIVE; the root has the connotation of an outward show of inner discomfort or agitation. It is possibly connected to audible sounds, such as murmuring or loud noise, cf. 1 Sam. 4:5; 1 Kgs. 1:45; Ruth 1:19 (LXX, "troubled," JPSOA, "moaning") 55:3b "pressure" NKJV, TEV. JPSOA, Peshitta "oppression" "shrill clamour" "outcry" "clamor" "affliction" This is a rare root that is understood to mean pressure ‒ BDB 734, KB 785 voice, noise ‒ BDB 873; notice "says" appears in line 3a
Salmos 55:4-8
55:4-8 This strophe describes how the psalmist feels (hyperbolic language) about the attacks of his adversaries. my heart is in anguish within me – BDB 296, KB 297, Qal IMPERFECT, from root for pain in childbirth the terrors of death have fallen upon me – BDB 956, KB 709, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ps. 18:4-5; 116:3 fear and trembling come upon me – BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERFECT horror has overwhelmed me – BDB 491, KB 487, Piel IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Isa. 21:4; Ezek. 7:18 In light of these fears he tells what he would like to do to escape them (figurative language). O that I had (lit. "give") wings like a dove – BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense I would fly away – BDB 733, KB 800, Qal COHORTATIVE I would be at rest – BDB 1014, KB 1496, Qal COHORTATIVE I would wander far away – BDB 934, KB 1221, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense I would lodge in the wilderness – BDB 533, KB 529, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense I would hasten to my place of refuge – BDB 301, KB 300, Hiphil COHORTATIVE raging wind – BDB 703 (only here) tempest – BDB 704 55:4 "heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEART. ▣ "the terrors of death" Death is fearful to fallen mankind (cf. Ps. 18:4-5; 116:3), but God is in control of death and will bring it to an end (cf. Isa. 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor. 15:50-57; 2 Tim. 1:10). 55:7 "Selah" See note at Psalm 3:2 and Intro. to Psalms, VII. B. #1. 55:8 "place of refuge" The NOUN ("shelter," BDB 812, KB 618) occurs only here and Psalm 18:2. The VERBAL form, "deliverer," appears in 2 Sam. 22:2; Ps. 144:2.
Salmos 55:9-11
55:9-11 This strophe continues the prayer request of Ps. 55:1-2. confuse (lit. "swallow up," i.e., "destroy) – BDB 118, KB 134, Piel IMPERATIVE; this root could be used in the sense of "confuse," cf. Ps. 107:27; Isa. 3:12; 9:16; 19:3; 28:7 divide their tongues – BDB 811, KB 928, Piel IMPERATIVE; this may be an allusion to Genesis 11:1-9. Both #1 and #2 are prayers to disrupt/thwart the plans and schemes of the psalmist's enemies. Apparently they were causing trouble within the hometown of the psalmist (if David, then Jerusalem). They are political enemies! I have seen violence in the city I have seen strife in the city day and night they go around her upon her walls iniquity is in her midst mischief is in her midst oppression does not depart her streets (lit. plaza, BDB 932) deceit does not depart her streets (lit. plaza/market place) Numbers 3; 4; 5 may be an allusion to watchmen on the walls. In this case the watchmen are personified as iniquity and mischief! 55:9 NASB, NKJV, Vulgate "divide their tongues" "divide their counsels" "confound their speech" LXX, TEV "confuse the speech" "render useless their tongues" The MT has "divide" (BDB 811, KB 928, Piel IMPERATIVE). This is parallel to the first VERB "shallow" (BDB 118, KB 134, Piel IMPERATIVE) in the sense of "destroy." The Piel form of "divide" was used of a plowed furrow in farming and came to mean "divide." It is used here in the sense of spread disunity and divide the enemies of the psalmist, thereby destroying their hateful, violent, evil words.
Salmos 55:12-15
55:12-15 This strophe identified those causing the trouble as the psalmist's acquaintances. It is not an enemy who reproaches me – I could bear it. It is not one who hates me – I could hide from him. It is not one who exalted himself against me (cf. Ps. 35:26; 38:16; Job 19:5) – I could hide from him. It is you, a man my equal (BDB 789, KB 885) my companion (BDB 48 I, KB 54 I) my familiar friend (BDB 393, KB 390, Pual PARTICIPLE We had sweet fellowship together. We walked in the house of God together (i.e., worshiped together). The psalmist reacts to their treachery. Let death come deceitfully upon them – Qere, BDB 674, KB 728, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (the Hebrew text is uncertain and emendations are usually made) Let them go down to Sheol – BDB 432, KB 434, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense; for Sheol see SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?, I. B. The reason for the psalmist's desire for their judgment: evil in their dwelling place (BDB 158) evil is in their midst Since #3 does not parallel #2 well, there has been suggestion for emendation to "habitation." "go in terror to their graves" "go in terror to the pit" (i.e., "storehouse" in the ground) 55:14 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, REB "the throng" "then they recoil in disorder" The Hebrew NOUN (BDB 921, KB 1189) is rare, used only three times in the OT. the nations are in an uproar, cf. Ps. 2:1 a noisy, festival crowd in the temple, cf. Ps. 55:14 the tumult of those who do iniquity, cf. Ps. 64:2 The VERB form means "be in tumult" or "unrest." But here, it denotes the large crowd in the temple (or tabernacle) on a regular feast day. See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL 55:15 "Sheol" Sheol is sometimes depicted as an animal with a wide mouth that swallows people alive. See SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? I. A. ▣ "For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst" "For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them" NRSV, TEV "For evil is in their homes and in their hearts" "since evil shares their home with them" "their homes are haunts of evil!" "For where they dwell, there is evil" "because there is evil among them" "because evils are in their sojournings, in their midst" These are parallel lines. I like the NRSV translation, but it is just speculation on a vague Hebrew poetic line.
Salmos 55:16-21
55:16-21 This strophe describes what God will do for/against the psalmist his betrayers Psalm 55:19 is both a description of God (i.e., line 2, "who sits enthroned from of old," cf. Deut. 33:27; Ps. 45:6; 90:2; 93:2; Lam. 5:19) and the adversaries (i.e., line 3, who do not change). The confusion arises because line 3 could apply to God (cf. Matt. 3:6, i.e., Malachi 3:6), but here it refers to the unchanging evil hearts of the psalmist's enemies. Psalm 55:16-19a gives the psalmist's prayers and God's response. I shall call upon God – BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense YHWH will save me – BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil IMPERFECT I will complain – BDB 967, KB 1319, Qal COHORTATIVE, cf. Ps. 64:1; 142:2; this root can mean "meditate," cf. Ps. 119:15,23,27,148 I will murmur – BDB 242, KB 250, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense He will hear my voice – BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT with waw He will redeem my soul from the battle – BDB 804, KB 911, Qal PERFECT, see SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM God will hear, Ps. 55:19a – BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT In Ps. 55:19a God will answer the adversaries (in the sense of, "give them what they deserve" — BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERFECT; this root can mean "answer" or "afflict." We reap what we sow! Psalm 55:19c-21 describes their hearts and actions (collective "he," cf. Ps. 55:18b). there is no change (no VERB) they do not fear God they put forth their hands against those who were at peace they violated the covenant they have smooth speech but have war in their hearts their soft words are like drawn swords All the VERBS in #2-6 are PERFECTS, denoting a settled attitude of hate and rebellion. 55:17 "Evening and morning and at noon" The day begins at evening for ancient Israelites because of Gen. 1:5,8,13,19,23,31. The "at noon" implies a later time when Judaism had three prayer times (cf. Dan. 6:10): at the time of the morning sacrifice (about 9 A.M.) noon at the time of the evening sacrifice (about 3 P.M.) It is surely possible that the phrase is an idiom for "continually." ▣ "redeem" See SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM ▣ "soul" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH ▣ "in peace" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT) 55:19 "Selah" See note at Psalm 3:2 and Intro. to Psalms, VII. B. #1 55:21 "smoother than butter" This Hebrew form is found only here (BDB 563, same thought in Prov. 5:3).
Salmos 55:22-23
55:22-23 This final strophe is a contrast of what God will do for the faithful follower and against the faithless friend(s). the faithful follower the psalmist admonishes them to cast (BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERATIVE) their burden (i.e., "lot," BDB 396, KB 393, only here and Ps. 37:5) upon YHWH (cf. 1 Pet. 5:7) follow the psalmist's example, "I will trust in You" (v. 23c) the faithless friend(s) bring them down to the pit of destruction (i.e. death, Sheol) men of bloodshed and deceit will live only half their allotted days In light of the trust of the faithful, YHWH will sustain them – BDB 465, KB 463, Pilpel IMPERFECT, cf. Ruth 4:15; Neh. 9:21 never allow them to be shaken – BDB 557, cf. Ps. 125:1; Prov. 10:30 Remember, this Psalm describes the pain of betrayal and the many nights of prayer and discouragement at the actions of faithless friend(s). These last verses are not a promise of lack of problems but of YHWH's presence and care. In the end all will be set straight. We live in a fallen world, unfair and ungodly world. Believers suffer and are treated badly but there is more to life than the immediate circumstances! One last comment, it is not certain who is speaking in this strophe and, therefore, to whom they are speaking. a priest or prophet hears the psalmist and responds to him the psalmist is speaking to himself his readers others hurt by friends