Psalm 55:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,

NIV: hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

NASB: Give Your attention to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and severely distracted,

CSB: Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

NLT: Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

KJV: Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

NKJV: Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

This expresses a sincere request along with deep distress. David asks God to listen to his prayer (Psalm 55:1) and answer as enemies inflict hardship (Psalm 55:3). Later verses will point out that David was betrayed by a close ally (Psalm 55:12–13). This further explains his state of shocked misery. He knows the enemy is closing in (Psalm 55:4–5). This has left him unsettled and confused. Modern English might say "David was thrown off," or "was not himself." Various translations use words such as "distracted" or "overwhelmed." Armies in such a state were easily defeated (Deuteronomy 7:23).

No explicit event is tied to this psalm. However, David did experience extreme danger and betrayal when his son, Absalom, attempted a coup and was assisted by David's former advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15–18). Perhaps David's angst is magnified by knowing his own sin created the conditions for this danger. The rebellion had come about because of David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, her husband. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, he predicted: "'Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house'" (2 Samuel 12:10–11).

Psalm 55:1–8 focuses on David's prayer for the Lord's help. David describes his trouble and the intense, negative feelings that overwhelm him. He recognizes the pressing danger of his enemies—later verses point out that a close friend has betrayed him. If he could, David would escape somewhere far away and seek shelter.

David begins this song with a prayer for rescue, likely from his rebelling son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12). David is pained because of a close ally's betrayal; this would refer to Ahithophel, who sided with the rebels (2 Samuel 15:31). This situation creates intense fear. However, David is confident God will rescue him. He is fully assured that those who attack him will be humbled and judged by the Lord.

This is among the psalms recording David's plea for divine help in a time of persecution (Psalms 3; 6; 35). He was betrayed by a close friend, likely Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31). This was probably written in response to the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12). Despite his trouble, David was confident God would protect him and punish his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.