A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Psalms: Psalms Chapter 55
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
hide not thyself, &c.--(compare Psa 13:1; Psa 27:9), withhold not help.
The terms of the last clause express full indulgence of grief.
oppression--literally, "persecution."
they . . . iniquity--literally, "they make evil doings slide upon me."
express great alarm.
come upon--or literally, "into."
be at rest--literally, "dwell," that is, permanently.
Even a wilderness is a safer place than exposure to such evils, terrible as storm and tempest.
Destroy--literally, "swallow" (Psa 21:9).
divide their tongues--or, "confound their speech," and hence their counsels (Gen 11:7).
the city--perhaps Jerusalem, the scene of anarchy.
which is described in detail (compare Psa 7:14-16).
Wickedness--literally, "Mischief," evils resulting from others (Psa 5:9; Psa 52:2, Psa 52:7).
streets--or literally, "wide places," markets, courts of justice, and any public place.
This description of treachery does not deny, but aggravates, the injury from enemies.
guide--literally, "friend" (Pro 16:28; Pro 17:9).
acquaintance--in Hebrew, a yet more intimate associate.
in company--literally, "with a crowd," in a festal procession.
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 Num 16:33).
among them--or, "within them," in their hearts (Psa 5:9; Psa 49:11).
God answers his constant and repeated prayers.
many with me--that is, by the context, fighting with me.
God hears the wicked in wrath.
abideth--or, "sitteth."
of old--enthroned as a sovereign.
Because . . . no changes--Prosperity hardens them (Psa 73:5).
The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, Psa 55:15, Psa 55:23, and here, enliven the picture, and imply that the chief traitor and his accomplices are in view together.
thy burden--literally, "gift," what is assigned you.
he shall sustain--literally, "supply food," and so all need (Psa 37:25; Mat 6:11).
to be moved--from the secure position of His favor (compare Psa 10:6).
bloody . . . days--(compare Psa 5:6; Psa 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.