---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Title. Maschil  = Instruction. The eighth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:1 , and App-65 . The occasion of this Psalm is seen in 2 Sa"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55"
---

****
**Title. Maschil** = Instruction. The eighth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, [Psalms 32:1](../../../kjv/psalms/32/1) , and App-65 . The occasion of this Psalm is seen in [2 Samuel 15](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15) . Hence 934BC.
**God.** Hebrew *Elohim.* App-4 .

**hear** = answer. make a noise = moan.

**oppression:** or outcry. The Hebrew word *'akah* occurs only here.
**iniquity** = iniquitous words or devices. Hebrew. *'aven.* App-44 . Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Adjunct), App-6 .

**sore pained . . . unto death.** Compare the words ot the true David ([John 13:21](../../../kjv/john/13/21) ) in reference to the Antitype ([Psalms 55:18](../../../kjv/psalms/55/18) . [Matthew 26:38](../../../kjv/matthew/26/38) ).

**remain** = lodge. The Septuagint renders it by *aulizomai,* the word used in [Matthew 21:17](../../../kjv/matthew/21/17) . Compare [Luke 21:37](../../../kjv/luke/21/37) . See also [Jeremiah 9:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/9/2) .
**wilderness.** Compare [2 Samuel 15:28](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15/28) ; [2 Samuel 17:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/17/16) .
**Selah.** Connecting his despondency with his escape from the cause of it. It was not merely comfort he desired, but deliverance. See App-66 .

**hasten my escape.** Compare [2 Samuel 15:14](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15/14) .
**windy storm** = wind (Hebrew. *ruach.* App-9 .) of storm.

**LORD *.** One of the 134 alterations of Jehovah to Adonai by the *Sopherim.* App-32 .
**divide their tongues** = cleave (as in [Genesis 10:25](../../../kjv/genesis/10/25) ; [Genesis 11:1-9](../../../kjv/genesis/11/1-9) ) their counsels; "tongues" being put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for counsels given by them. This prayer was literally answered ([2 Samuel 17:1-14](../../../kjv/2-samuel/17/1-14) ).
**tongues.** Hebrew singular.

**Mischief.** Hebrew. *'aven.* App-44 .

**Wickedness** = pravities (plural) Hebrew. *havah =* cupidity.
**Deceit** = Oppression, or violence.

**a man** = a mortal. Hebrew. *'enosh.* App-14 .
**mine equal** = as mine equal: i.e. esteemed by David as such; refers to Ahithophel.
**My guide:** or counselor. Compare [2 Samuel 16:23](../../../kjv/2-samuel/16/23) and [Acts 1:17](../../../kjv/acts/1/17) .

**in company** = with the multitude. Hebrew. *regesh.* Occurs only here.

**quick** = alive. Compare [Numbers 16:30-33](../../../kjv/numbers/16/30-33) .
**hell.** Hebrew. *Sheol.* App-35 . wickedness. Hebrew. *raa* (plural)

**the LORD.** Hebrew. *Jehovah.* App-4 .

**pray** = meditate.
**cry aloud.** Hebrew. *hamah* = to make a noise. Onomatopoetic, like bees, or the cooing of a dove in [Ezekiel 7:16](../../../kjv/ezekiel/7/16) . See note on sub-scription.

**delivered** = plucked (with power). Hebrew. *padah.* See notes on [Exodus 6:6](../../../kjv/exodus/6/6) ; [Exodus 13:13](../../../kjv/exodus/13/13) .
**my soul** = me (emphatic). Hebrew. *nephesh.* App-13 .
**in peace.** Note Ellipsis: "[and set it] in peace".
**many with me** = many [in conflict] with me. Figure of speech *Ellipsis.* App-6 .

**GOD.** Hebrew El. App-4 . The mighty Creator. because in conflict with His creatures.
**hear** = hear me.
**afflict them** = answer them.
**Even, &c.** Figure of speech *Parenthesis.* App-6 .
**Selah.** Connecting the *true confidence* of David with the *false confidence* of the ungodly. David's true confidence was based on the fact that His GOD was the mighty One enduring for ever. "El" here is emphasized by the double accent *Pasek,* or "note line" each side of it. ( App-66 .)
**Because . . . no changes** = With whom are no changes (for the better): i.e. no improvement. See note on "alter" ([Leviticus 27:10](../../../kjv/leviticus/27/10) ). Hebrew. *halaph.* Compare [Genesis 35:2](../../../kjv/genesis/35/2) .

**He:** i.e. Ahithophel.
**broken his covenant:** by his disloyalty.

**war was in his heart.** Compare [2 Samuel 14:33](../../../kjv/2-samuel/14/33) with [2 Samuel 15:5](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15/5) , [2 Samuel 15:6](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15/6) . Referring to [Psalms 55:19](../../../kjv/psalms/55/19) .

**Cast, &c.** = Commit unto. Quoted in [1 Peter 5:7](../../../kjv/1-peter/5/7) .
**burden** = gift, or lot. Here = those very words of [Psalms 55:21](../../../kjv/psalms/55/21) .
**sustain thee** = hold thee up.
**the righteous** = the righteous one (singular)

**Bloody and deceitful men** = men of bloods and deceit. Genitive of Character. Hebrew bloods = great bloodshed.
**half their days.** Referring to Absalom's untimely death.
**trust** = confide. Hebrew. *batah.* App-69 .
**To the chief Musician.** See App-64 .
**upon** = relating to.
**Jonath-elem-rechokim** = The dove of the distant Terebinths. App-65 . A pictorial description of David in the wilderness, fleeing from Absalom. Compare verses: [Psalms 55:6-8](../../../kjv/psalms/55/6-8) ; and the word *hamah =* to coo (as a dove). See note on "cry aloud" in [Psalms 55:17](../../../kjv/psalms/55/17) .

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes -  Psalms 55"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55","name":"Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes -  Psalms 55","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Title. Maschil  = Instruction. The eighth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:1 , and App-65 . The occasion of this Psalm is seen in 2 Sa","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes","name":"Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms","name":"Psalms"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/55","name":"55"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```