Psalm 55:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.

NIV: My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

NASB: He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

CSB: My friend acts violently against those at peace with him; he violates his covenant.

NLT: As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises.

KJV: He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

NKJV: He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant.

In this psalm, David expressed intense fear in the face of danger (Psalm 55:2–8). This came along with the betrayal of a former ally (Psalm 55:12–13). This seems to fit the rebellion of David's son, Absalom, who forced David to retreat from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:14), and was aided by Ahithophel, one of David's advisors (2 Samuel 15:31). Despite fear, David trusts that the Lord will rescue him (Psalm 55:16–18).

Here, David singles out the traitor among his enemies. He describes this person as attacking his friends and breaking his promises. This would apply appropriately to Ahithophel, who at one time was a trusted advisor to the king (2 Samuel 15:12; 16:23). Scholars suspect Ahithophel might have been motivated by revenge; he may have been the grandfather of Bathsheba, the woman taken by David in a murderous cover-up (2 Samuel 11:3; 15:12; 23:34).

Judas Iscariot traveled with Jesus for years, giving every appearance of being Jesus' friend. The other disciples must have assumed he could be trusted. He was the group's treasurer, but he violated their trust. John 12:6 reveals "he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it." His love of money seems to have been a motivating factor in his betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16); he received thirty pieces of silver for turning Jesus over to the chief priests, which he later attempted to return (Matthew 27:3). He expressed remorse, but not repentance (Matthew 27:4), and he took his own life (Matthew 27:5). The presumed traitor mentioned in this psalm, Ahithophel, also committed suicide (2 Samuel 17:23).

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.