9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language,
for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls.
Malice and abuse are also within her. 11 Destructive forces are within her.
Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me,
then I could have endured it.
Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me,
then I would have hid myself from him. 13 But it was you, a man like me,
my companion, and my familiar friend. 14 We took sweet fellowship together.
We walked in God’s house with company. 15 Let death come suddenly on them.
Let them go down alive into Sheol.
For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 55:9-15
Commentary on Psalm 55:9-15
(Read Psalm 55:9-15)
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.