Psalms 55 (DRB)

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Chapter Text

55:1 Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.

55:2 Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.

55:3 My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.

55:4 From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.

55:5 In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.

55:6 All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.

55:7 They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,

55:8 For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces. O God,

55:9 I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set me tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise.

55:10 Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God.

55:11 In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.

55:12 In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee:

55:13 Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "light", "mercy", "people", "removed", "distance", "sanctuary", "david", and "inscription". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "light" and "mercy", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local DRB text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "light" and "mercy" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "light" and "mercy" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.