Psalm 55 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
Psalms Chapter 55 (Old Testament)
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
More Psalms Chapter 55 (Old Testament)
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 55:22
Verse: הַשְׁלֵךְ עַל-יְהוָה דִּכְאוֹ
Transliteration: Hashlech al-Adonai dik’cho
English: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”
Focus Word: דִּכְאוֹ (Dikcho)
- Root: ד-כ-א (Daled-Kaf-Aleph)
- Meaning: “Sorrow,” “burden,” “trouble.”
- Deeper Insight: Dikcho represents emotional and spiritual weight, showing God’s role as sustainer and comforter.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| הַאֲזִינָה — ha’azina | Verse 1 — “Give ear to my prayer…” | “Give ear,” listen attentively. | Ha’azina (“give ear”) expresses request for God’s attentive hearing (“listen”). It frames the Psalm with urgent vulnerability. The word opens the lament with relational appeal. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| אַל־תִּתְעַלָּם — al-tit’alam | Verse 1 — “…do not hide Yourself…” | “Hide,” conceal. | Al-Tit’alam (“to hide”) expresses fear of divine silence (“hide/conceal”). It shows anxiety over perceived distance. The term highlights emotional distress. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| אָרִיד — arid | Verse 2 — “I mourn in my complaint…” | “To wander,” restlessly complain. | Arid (“to complain/wander in grief”) conveys emotional turmoil (“complaint”). It reflects internal agitation from betrayal and fear. The word intensifies the lament’s heaviness. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| רָגַז — ragaz | Verse 2 — “…and moan noisily.” | “To tremble,” be agitated. | Ragaz (“to tremble”) depicts shaking from distress (“tremble”). It reveals emotional and physical upheaval. The term strengthens the Psalm’s raw emotional landscape. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| לֵב — lev | Verse 4 — “My heart is severely pained…” | “Heart,” inner being. | Lev (“heart”) represents the center of thought, emotion, and will (“heart”). It expresses internal anguish caused by fear and betrayal. The word deepens the Psalm’s personal tone. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| פַּחַד — pachad | Verse 5 — “Fearfulness and trembling…” | “Fear,” dread. | Pachad (“fear”) portrays overwhelming dread (“fear”). It reveals how external danger produces internal collapse. The term reinforces vulnerability. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| אֵימָה — eimah | Verse 5 — “…and horror has overwhelmed me.” | “Horror,” terror. | Eimah (“horror”) communicates paralyzing fear (“horror”). It reflects emotional overload from distressing danger. The word amplifies the intensity of the psalmist’s suffering. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| מֵרֵעַ — mere’a | Verse 13 — “But it was you, a man my equal…” | “Friend,” companion. | Mere’a (“friend/companion”) denotes close personal relationship (“friend”). Its betrayal deepens the Psalm’s anguish. The word exposes pain uniquely inflicted by intimate treachery. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| שָׁלוֹם — shalom | Verse 21 — “…war was in his heart.” | “Peace,” wholeness. | Shalom (“peace”) contrasts outward friendliness with inward hostility (“peace”). It reveals duplicity in the betrayer. The term intensifies the moral contrast in the Psalm. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| הַשְׁלֵךְ — hashlekh | Verse 22 — “Cast your burden upon the LORD…” | “To cast,” throw upon. | Hashlekh (“to cast”) instructs complete transfer of anxiety to God (“cast”). It reflects trust in divine sustenance. The word concludes the Psalm with a call to confident rest in God. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Prayer: Thank You King of glory that you are our defense and shield. We don't have to worry about what wicked people will do to us because You will deliver us and always cause us to triumph for your blessing is upon those who fear You, keeping Your commandments therefore loving You, walking in your Way. Thank You Father for the glorious covenant that you have with us through Christ Jesus our Lord in Jesus' Name. Amen.
