Psalm 55 23

Psalm 55:23 kjv

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Psalm 55:23 nkjv

But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.

Psalm 55:23 niv

But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

Psalm 55:23 esv

But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Psalm 55:23 nlt

But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 23 Meaning

Psalm 55:23 powerfully declares the certainty of divine justice: wicked and treacherous individuals will face a swift and ultimate demise by God's hand, while the righteous who place their trust solely in Him will be sustained and preserved. It stands as a profound statement of God's righteous governance, distinguishing between the destiny of the ungodly and the security of the faithful.

Psalm 55 23 Context

Psalm 55 is a fervent lament by David, grappling with profound distress due to betrayal, likely by a close friend or confidant (traditionally linked to Ahithophel during Absalom's rebellion). The Psalm opens with David crying out to God from a place of overwhelming grief and fear, wishing to flee from the torment (vv. 1-8). His pain intensifies with the realization that the betrayal came from one with whom he shared intimacy and fellowship (vv. 9-15), making the deceit even more heinous. As the Psalm progresses, David's lament turns into a plea for divine vengeance against his enemies (vv. 16-22). Verse 23 serves as the powerful theological climax and conclusion of the psalm, contrasting the sure destruction of the wicked with the Psalmist's unwavering declaration of trust in God, even amidst suffering and injustice. It highlights David's confidence that God is the ultimate judge who will establish justice and sustain the righteous.

Psalm 55 23 Word analysis

• But thou, O God: This phrase introduces a strong adversative contrast, a significant pivot in the psalm. It moves from David's distress and appeal for justice to a confident declaration of God's action. "O God" (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim) emphasizes God's supreme authority, power, and role as judge over all creation. It's a direct address to the sovereign one who acts with justice.
• shalt bring them down: (תַּשְׁלִיכֵם - tašlîḵêm, from שָׁלַךְ - shalak, "to cast, to throw"). This signifies a decisive, forceful, and intentional act by God. It implies God actively causing their downfall, not merely allowing it. It denotes the inevitability and certainty of their ruin, a prophetic declaration of future judgment as if it has already occurred.
• into the pit of destruction: (בְּאֵר שַׁחַת - bəʾēr šaḥat).
  • Pit (בְּאֵר - bəʾēr): A deep well or cistern, often dark and inescapable, sometimes used as a prison. It conveys a sense of finality and entrapment.
  • Destruction (שַׁחַת - šaḥat): This word carries connotations of corruption, decay, ruin, perishing, and the grave (Sheol). Together, "pit of destruction" represents utter ruin, a place of irretrievable doom, physical death, and possibly the consequences of spiritual corruption. It is the antithesis of life and flourishing.
• bloody and deceitful men: (אִישׁ דָּמִים וּמִרְמָה - ʾîš dāmîm ūmirmah).
  • Bloody men (אִישׁ דָּמִים - ʾîš dāmîm): Literally "men of bloods." Implies those habitually engaged in violence, bloodshed, and murder; people whose character is marked by hostility and aggression, or who cause the shedding of innocent blood.
  • Deceitful men (וּמִרְמָה - ūmirmah): Refers to treachery, fraud, and cunning deception. These are individuals who operate by lies and betrayal, as the Psalmist has experienced. This pairing highlights the two primary characteristics of David's enemies: violent in deed and treacherous in character, justifying God's intervention.
• shall not live out half their days: (לֹא יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם - loʾ yeḥeṣū yəmêhem). This phrase literally means "they will not divide their days in half." It is an idiom signifying premature death, a life cut short by divine judgment. It stands in stark contrast to the blessing of a long life often promised to the righteous (e.g., Exod 20:12, Prov 3:2, Ps 91:16). Their wickedness forfeits their right to a full natural lifespan.
• but I will trust in thee: (וַאֲנִי אֶבְטַח בָּךְ - waʾănî ʾebṭaḥ bāḵ). This is the culminating declaration, an emphatic statement of contrast and unwavering faith.
  • I (וַאֲנִי - waʾănî): The "I" is emphatic, highlighting the Psalmist's personal, resolute decision.
  • Will trust (אֶבְטַח - ʾebṭaḥ, from בָּטַח - bataḥ): This is a profound and deep-seated confidence, relying upon God with a sense of security and safety, abandoning all anxiety. It speaks of a deep conviction and reliance on God's character and promises, regardless of immediate circumstances or the evil thriving around him. It is the antidote to the fear and despair expressed earlier in the psalm, signaling the victory of faith.

Psalm 55 23 Bonus section

The certainty of judgment on the wicked in Psalm 55:23 is often linked to the concept of God’s ordered cosmos. In the ancient Near East, cosmic order was paramount, and disruptions were understood to eventually incur divine wrath. The shortening of life for the wicked ("not live out half their days") is a specific punishment that signifies a complete reversal of divine blessings, as a long life was viewed as a primary sign of favor. This belief underscores God’s active involvement in maintaining justice, even within the human lifespan. Furthermore, David’s confidence ("but I will trust in thee") is not a detached intellectual assent but an active choice to commit his security and fate entirely to God. This form of bataḥ (trust) implies casting one's burden on the Lord (cf. Ps 55:22). It reflects a personal covenant relationship where one deeply relies on God's character and steadfast love, particularly when human alliances fail and human justice seems absent. This faith empowers the righteous to stand firm amidst adversity, anticipating God's timely and just intervention.

Psalm 55 23 Commentary

Psalm 55:23 encapsulates the ultimate justice of God in stark contrast to the fleeting triumph of human wickedness. After pouring out his anguish over betrayal and injustice, the Psalmist pivots to a definitive declaration of God's character and actions. He affirms that God, the supreme arbiter, will certainly bring the violent and deceitful to their appointed end—a "pit of destruction," symbolizing their complete and premature ruin. This is not a personal curse but an appeal to God's inherent righteousness and His promise to govern the earth justly. In direct opposition to the doom of the wicked, the Psalmist proclaims his unwavering "trust" in God. This trust (Hebrew bataḥ) signifies a confident, secure reliance that absorbs all anxiety and doubt. It is an act of resolute faith that holds firm, knowing that God's covenant loyalty guarantees the ultimate well-being and preservation of His faithful ones, even when appearances suggest otherwise. This verse therefore serves as both a comfort and a warning: justice will prevail, and those who trust in God will find refuge and enduring security.