Psalm 55:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!

NIV: For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

NASB: Listen to my prayer, God; And do not hide Yourself from my pleading.

CSB: God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help.

NLT: Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help!

KJV: {To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.} Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

David pleads with the Lord not to ignore his prayer. He calls for mercy and rescue, pouring out his heart to God. Though David does not specifically describe the situation, he refers to enemies (Psalm 55:3), the threat of death (Psalm 55:4), and the betrayal of a close friend (Psalm 55:12–13). This resembles his experience with Ahithophel, once David's trusted counselor, who sided with David's son, Absalom, in a rebellion (2 Samuel 15—18).

Seeking the Lord during trying times is always a wise choice. God promises to hear and answer those who call upon Him. Jeremiah 33:3 communicates His invitation to call to Him and His promise to answer. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray persistently. He assured the disciples, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9–10).

This song is directed to a "choirmaster," likely the person supervising music in the temple. It is also described as a maskiyl, likely meaning a reflective, contemplative song.

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.