Psalm 55:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

NIV: Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

NASB: Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.

CSB: Fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me.

NLT: Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

KJV: Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

NKJV: Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.

Often, David faced extreme danger. One example may have inspired this psalm: the rebellion of David's son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14). In addition to being threatened by his own child, David faced betrayal by a former trusted advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31; Psalm 55:12–13). This was a dire moment—David had reasons to fear the worst. He describes his sense of utter "horror," using a Hebrew term literally referring to trembling or shivering. If this was during the time of Absalom's rebellion, it would have been among the low points in David's life.

Fear can cause a believer to experience a lapse of faith. The disciple Peter boasted to Jesus that he would never fall away from Jesus (Matthew 26:33), but Jesus told him he would deny him three times that night "before the rooster crows" (Matthew 26:34). Later that night, Jesus was arrested, and Peter denied Jesus three times because of his own fear (Matthew 26:69–75).

It is comforting to look ahead in this psalm and see that David did not permanently succumb to fear. He renewed his trust in God (Psalm 55:16). Further reassurance comes from knowing the same man, David, wrote Psalm 23. There, he declared, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you [God] are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). Also, in Psalm 27:1 David was able to say, "The Lᴏʀᴅ is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lᴏʀᴅ is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

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.