Psalms 55:11

_WICKEDNESS IS IN THE MIDST THEREOF: DECEIT AND GUILE DEPART NOT FROM HER STREETS._ Wickedness is in the midst thereof in contrast to DECEIT AND GUILE DEPART NOT FROM HER STREETS WICKEDNESS IS IN THE MIDST THEREOF - in contrast to DECEIT AND GUILE DEPART NOT FROM HER STREETS (_ MEERªCHOBAAH_ (H7339)) - rather 'from its market-places,' which were before the gates. Thus, there is the same contrast here as in Psalms 55:10, but in reverse order, between the interior and the exterior. In the marketplace, where justice was professedly administered, "deceit and guile" prevailed; they 'departed not' at any time; there was no intermission or abatement. Also in commercial transactions in the market deceit and fraud abounded....

9-15 No wickedness so distresses the believer, as that which he witnesses in those who profess to be of the church of God. Let us not be surprised at the corruptions and disorders of the church on earth, but long to see the New Jerusalem. He complains of one that had been very industrious against him. God often destroys the enemies of the church by dividing them. And an interest divided against itself cannot long stand. The true Christian must expect trials from professed friends, from those with whom he has been united; this will be very painful; but by looking unto Jesus we shall be enabled to bear it. Christ was betrayed by a companion, a disciple, an apostle, who resembled Ahithophel in his crimes and doom. Both were speedily overtaken by Divine vengeance. And this prayer is a prophecy of the utter, the everlasting ruin, of all who oppose and rebel against the Messiah....

WICKEDNESS IS IN THE MIDST THEREOF - That is, the wickedness connected with rebellion and revolt. DECEIT AND GUILE DEPART NOT FROM HER STREETS - They are everywhere. They are found in every street and alley. They pervade all classes of the people. The word rendered “deceit” means rather “oppression.” This was connected with “guile,” or with “deceit.” That is, wrong would be everywhere committed, and the perpetration of those wrongs would be connected with false representations, and false pretences - a state of things that might be expected in the unnatural rebellion under Absalom....

EXPOSITION THIS psalm has been assigned to Jeremiah by Hitzig, and by others to an unknown writer of the seventh century B.C. But no solid grounds have been shown for setting aside the traditionary evidence of the "title," which ascribes it to David. It is Davidic in its depth of feeling, in its abrupt transitions (verses 9, 15, 20), and in its reference to a faithless friend, who is the chief cause of the writer's sufferings (verses 12-14, 20, 21; comp. Psalms 41:9). The Davidic authorship is accepted by Hengstenberg, Dr. Kay, and Canon Cook. The probable date of the psalm is the time of Absalom's rebellion. David, still a dweller at Jerusalem (verses 9-11), has become aware of the conspiracy which has been formed against him (verses 3-8), and of the participation in it of his "familiar friend," Ahithophel (verses 12-14). He is already contempl

WICKEDNESS [IS] IN THE MIDST THEREOF,.... All manner of wickedness; abominable wickedness; wickedness as arrived to its highest pitch, and as having filled up its measure; see Ezekiel 9:4; DECEIT AND GUILE DEPART NOT FROM HER STREETS; where truth was fallen, and equity could not enter, Isaiah 59:14; for these are contrary the one to the other, and are incompatible; where the one prevails, the other must give way. This whole account shows the aboundings of sin in Jerusalem at this time, and that it was openly and publicly committed, and contains so many reasons of the imprecations in Psalms 55:9....

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. It needed the chief musician to sing such a Psalm as this; it is so full of sorrow, and yet so full of confidence in God. It is a Psalm upon the stringed instruments, and it sings not of man only, but of that Son of man that greatest of men, who was also greatest in grief as greatest in faith. Maschil: that is, «instructive,» «full of teaching.» The experience of one child of God is instructive to another, and especially the experience of the great First-born among many brethren. A Psalm of David David, that many-sided man, who seemed not one, but «all mankind's epitome.» Who has not found his own experience when he has read the Psalms of David? It is a looking-glass this Book of Psalms which reflects us all. See how he begins. Psalms 55:1. _Give ear to my prayer, O God;_ All the saints pray. There is no excep

Psalms 55 In the Throes of the Great Tribulation _ 1. Prayer for help (Psalms 55:1)_ 2. Longings to escape (Psalms 55:4) 3. The great tribulation (Psalms 55:9) 4. The comfort of hope (Psalms 55:22) The man of sin, the Antichrist, stands out prominently in this Psalm. Because of him and his oppression, the godly remnant calls for help. They are overwhelmed with horror and beholding the abomination, they wish for wings like a dove and escape from the storm and the tempest of the great tribulation. This is in accordance

LV. A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM TREACHEROUS FOES. Psalms 55:1. The Psalmist tells God of his disquiet and terror. His desire to flee from Jerusalem to the wilderness. Psalms 55:12. A description of the treacherous friend, ending with an imprecation: let them go down suddenly to the pit. Psalms 55:16. The Psalmist's continuous prayer and his trust that God will defeat his enemies. Psalms 55:20 f. The treachery of his foes described. Psalms 55:22 f. God's care for the godly: His vengeance on

WICKEDNESS. pravities (plural) Hebrew. _havah =_ cupidity. DECEIT. Oppression, or violence....

He prays for the confusion of his enemies" counsels, and describes the miserable condition of the city....