Psalms 55:20 (LSB)

Passage

My companion has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

Nearby Context

Psalms 55:18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.

Psalms 55:19 God will hear and answer them— Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah. Because they do not change, And do not fear God.

Psalms 55:20 My companion has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

Psalms 55:21 His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden upon Yahweh and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "companion", "forth", "hands", "against", "peace", "violated", and "covenant". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "companion" and "forth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "God will hear and answer them Even..." into verse 21's "His speech was smoother than butter But...", so "companion" and "forth" belong inside that flow. 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 "companion" and "forth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.