Psalm 55:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

NIV: My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.

NASB: My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

CSB: My heart shudders within me; terrors of death sweep over me.

NLT: My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.

KJV: My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

NKJV: My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

David was so distressed that he felt his heart was on the verge of failing. His situation was not merely dangerous; it was life-threatening and dire. Scholars suggest this psalm might have been written when David's son, Absalom, rebelled against him. David was forced to flee to avoid being slaughtered (2 Samuel 15:14). This psalm refers to threats coming from a friend, which may refer to Ahithophel, David's advisor who betrayed him by following Absalom (Psalm 55:12–13; 2 Samuel 15:31).

Had David remained focused on the threats of his enemy, he would be forever terrified. Yet later in this psalm, he turns his attention to God and finds reassurance (Psalm 55:18). When Jesus' disciples were caught in the middle of a raging storm in the Sea of Galilee, they, too, were in a perilous and frightening situation (Mark 4:35–37). They thought they would die, but Jesus was resting peacefully in the boat (Mark 4:38). The disciples woke Him, worrying He didn't care about their lives. When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and told the sea to be still (Mark 4:39). Suddenly the wind ceased, and the sea became calm. Jesus asked the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4:40). When a crisis strikes, the believer should respond with faith instead of fear.

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.