Psalm 55:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.

NIV: If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.

NASB: For it is not an enemy who taunts me, Then I could endure it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.

CSB: Now it is not an enemy who insults me -- otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me -- otherwise I could hide from him.

NLT: It is not an enemy who taunts me — I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me — I could have hidden from them.

KJV: For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

NKJV: For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.

To face danger naturally inspires fear; David expressed his desire to be rescued by God (Psalm 55:1–8). Here, he indicates his situation is more than hostile. He has been betrayed by a close friend. Likely, this means Ahithophel, a former advisor who turned to support David's rebellious son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31). Although David had many enemies, men such as Ahithophel caused him especially great pain. David notes that someone is mocking him other than a longtime enemy. Were insults to come from an opponent, David could simply ignore them. As he notes later, though, this venom is coming from someone he thought was his friend (Psalm 55:13–14).

Believers should expect to receive rude treatment from those who despise the Lord and His followers. Jesus pronounced His followers blessed "when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account" (Matthew 5:11). He said, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:12). Jesus Himself endured ridicule and insults from hateful unbelievers. Pilate's soldiers "mocked him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (Matthew 27:29). They spit on Him and beat Him (Matthew 27:30). When Jesus was dying on the cross, onlookers derided Him, and the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders mocked Him (Matthew 27:41).

Sadly, Christians may sometimes experience rudeness, coldness, vitriol, and slander from fellow believers. This is why many New Testament writings commend unity and love within the Church (Ephesians 4:1–16, 25–32; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1).

Psalm 55:9–15 transitions from David asking for rescue into a description of the evil his enemies commit. His foes bring violence, division, fraud, and oppression to the capital city of Jerusalem. Further, a former ally has betrayed David. These descriptions seem to match his experience during the rebellion of Absalom, who was aided by David's prior counselor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 31). Rather than seeking revenge himself, David prays for the Lord's judgment to come on these ungodly persecutors.

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.