Psalm 55:1

Translations

Modern

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

Traditional

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.

Literal

For the one directing. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Turn your ear, O God, to my prayer, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

Latin

In finem, in carminibus. Intellectus David. Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam, et ne despexeris deprecationem meam:

Original

Hebrew

English

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

Notes

Psalms 55:1–3

The occasion for this prayer is an attack by an enemy.

Psalms 55:1–23

The psalmist faces enemies led by a former friend (Psalm 55:12–14). This causes him great distress. He prays to the Lord and trusts him for justice (Psalm 55:22–23).

Jesus went through similar pain when Judas, his friend, betrayed him. He also experienced the psalmist’s prayer being answered:

by taking the place of the wicked and receiving their punishment (Isaiah 53:7–9), and
by trusting the Father, who saved (Luke 23:46) and rewarded him (Isaiah 53:10–12).

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Related verses

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Psalm 86:6
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.
Psalm 61:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
Psalm 27:9
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psalm 64:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
Psalm 84:8
O LORD God of Hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah
Psalm 54:1–2
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!
Psalm 143:7
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
Psalm 5:1
For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
Psalm 80:4
O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?
Psalm 6:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

Parallels

2 Samuel 17:15–29

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Maskil: A musical or literary term in the Psalms

Glossary

David Imprecatory Psalms Music Neginah, Neginoth Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Harp: The Symbol Used in the Psalmody to Indicate when the Harp Was to be Introduced in the Music Was |Neginoth| See Titles of Insurrection: Described By, David In Music: Maschil: This Musical Sign Occurs in the Titles of Music: Neginah and Neginoth: Appear in the Titles of Prayer: Importunity In Prayer: should be offered Up with Desire to be Heard Psalms: Afflictions

Psalm 55:1

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