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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 55, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [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. {chief...: or, overseer} {Maschil: or, of instruction}
Psalms 55:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
Psalms 55:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
Psalms 55:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
Psalms 55:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. {overwhelmed: Heb. covered}
Psalms 55:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! {for then} would I fly away, and be at rest.
Psalms 55:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Lo, {then} would I wander far off, {and} remain in the wilderness. Selah.
Psalms 55:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm {and} tempest.
Psalms 55:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Destroy, O Lord, {and} divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Psalms 55:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow {are} in the midst of it.
Psalms 55:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Wickedness {is} in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
Psalms 55:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 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:
Psalms 55:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 But {it was} thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. {mine equal: Heb. according to my rank}
Psalms 55:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 We took sweet counsel together, {and} walked unto the house of God in company. {We...: Heb. Who sweetened counsel}
Psalms 55:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 Let death seize upon them, {and} let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness {is} in their dwellings, {and} among them. {hell: or, the grave}
Psalms 55:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psalms 55:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalms 55:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle {that was} against me: for there were many with me.
Psalms 55:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. {Because...: or, With whom also there be no changes, yet they}
Psalms 55:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. {broken: Heb. profaned}
Psalms 55:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21 {The words} of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war {was} in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet {were} they drawn swords.
Psalms 55:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. {burden: or, gift}
Psalms 55:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. {bloody...: Heb. men of bloods and deceit} {shall...: Heb. shall not half their days}
Psalms 55:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.