Psalm 55 16

Psalm 55:16 kjv

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Psalm 55:16 nkjv

As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me.

Psalm 55:16 niv

As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

Psalm 55:16 esv

But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

Psalm 55:16 nlt

But I will call on God,
and the LORD will rescue me.

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 16 Meaning

Psalm 55:16 is a profound declaration of personal resolve and unwavering faith in God amidst severe distress. It states the psalmist's intentional decision to direct his plea and worship towards God, affirming his belief that the Lord, the covenant-keeping God, will surely deliver and rescue him from his dire circumstances. This verse signifies a turning point from lament to confidence, highlighting prayer as the essential recourse for the faithful and underscoring God's character as a deliverer.

Psalm 55 16 Context

Psalm 55 is a lament psalm by David, characterized by deep emotional distress. The first part of the psalm (vv. 1-15) describes the psalmist's intense suffering from the treachery of a close companion, identified often as Ahithophel who betrayed David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15:31; 16:23). He also faces persecution from wicked enemies within the city. The psalmist yearns for escape (vv. 4-8), wishing he had wings to fly away from the turmoil. His agony is amplified by the shocking betrayal, a wound deeper than that inflicted by an open enemy (vv. 12-14). In the midst of this overwhelming sorrow and the palpable sense of injustice and impending doom, verse 16 marks a distinct shift. It's a pivot from complaint and desperation to a definitive statement of faith and resolute trust in God. It declares the psalmist's active response to his overwhelming trials – turning directly to God as his only reliable source of deliverance. This resolve is contrasted with the wicked who will fall (v. 15), asserting that while others pursue their evil ways, the psalmist will choose the path of reliance on the Lord.

Psalm 55 16 Word analysis

• As for me (אֲנִי – 'ani'): This opening phrase is emphatic in Hebrew, creating a strong personal declaration. It sets the psalmist apart from his adversaries and their methods, signifying a deliberate and conscious choice to respond differently to adversity. It's a contrast to the treacherous friends and enemies described earlier in the Psalm, highlighting his individual, resolute commitment.
• I will call (אֶקְרָא – 'eqra'): Derived from the verb 'qara' (קָרָא), meaning to call out, cry, invoke, or summon. The Qal imperfect form denotes a future, ongoing, or habitual action, indicating a firm intention and a consistent practice of prayer and reliance. It implies more than a casual mention; it's an earnest, fervent, and intentional seeking of God's presence and intervention.
• upon God (אֱלֹהִים – 'Elohim'): This is a general, plural noun for God, emphasizing His transcendent power and divine nature. It refers to God as the sovereign Creator and Judge of the universe. The use here acknowledges His ultimate authority and ability to act.
• and the Lord (וַיהוָה – 'Yahweh'): This introduces the divine covenant name, often transliterated as LORD (in all caps) in English Bibles. 'Yahweh' signifies God's personal, covenantal relationship with His people, emphasizing His faithfulness, His active presence, and His redemptive character. The deliberate shift from the more general 'Elohim' to the specific, relational 'Yahweh' in a single phrase is significant. It moves from recognizing God's general might to specifically appealing to His promised faithfulness and redemptive power on a personal level.
• will save me (יוֹשִׁיעֵנִי – 'yoshianu'): From the root 'yasha' (יָשַׁע), meaning to save, deliver, rescue, or grant victory. This word encompasses both physical rescue from danger and broader deliverance from oppression, distress, or judgment. It carries the rich theological concept of salvation that runs throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in Jesus (Yeshua), whose name literally means "The Lord Saves." This is not a mere hope but a confident expectation based on God's character and past acts of salvation.

Psalm 55 16 Bonus section

The steadfast resolve expressed in Psalm 55:16 is deeply reflective of the character of faith revealed throughout the Scriptures. It teaches believers that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary or personal feelings of despondency, the deliberate act of "calling upon God" activates His redemptive power. This act of calling is more than uttering words; it is an internal alignment of one's will with God's sovereignty and a surrender to His ultimate purpose, knowing that His "saving" may encompass various forms of deliverance, not always immediate or exactly as expected, but always according to His perfect plan. The very structure of the verse, with the personal resolve followed by the divine action, highlights the dynamic interplay between human initiative in faith and divine responsiveness. This prayerful commitment, regardless of how desperate the circumstances, positions the individual to experience the fullness of God's saving intervention, ultimately finding its greatest fulfillment in Christ Jesus, who Himself is our ultimate salvation and source of deliverance from sin and all evil.

Psalm 55 16 Commentary

Psalm 55:16 distills the essence of biblical faith in the crucible of suffering. It portrays David, or the psalmist, moving from despair and intense personal betrayal to an unshakeable resolve to depend solely on God. His declaration "As for me, I will call upon God" is not a desperate last resort, but an act of worshipful intentionality, affirming that prayer is the primary and most powerful weapon against life's fiercest onslaughts. The transition from 'Elohim' to 'Yahweh' profoundly underscores this truth; he appeals not just to a distant, powerful deity, but to the covenant-keeping Lord who is personally invested in His people's welfare. His confident affirmation, "and the Lord will save me," is not wishful thinking but a trust born from an intimate knowledge of God's past deliverance and His unchanging character. This verse provides a timeless model for believers: when facing the greatest adversities, the believer's response is to turn directly and consistently to God in prayer, confident in His certain deliverance, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It teaches that even when earthly comforts and relationships fail, God remains the unwavering refuge and rescuer.