Psalm 55 3

Psalm 55:3 kjv

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

Psalm 55:3 nkjv

Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.

Psalm 55:3 niv

because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.

Psalm 55:3 esv

because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.

Psalm 55:3 nlt

My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 3 Meaning

Psalm 55:3 describes the intense distress experienced by the psalmist due to external adversaries. It highlights the direct cause of his anguish: the vocal attacks and cruel actions of his enemies, whom he identifies as wicked individuals. These foes actively sought to accuse him falsely, attribute wrong to him, or bring calamity upon him through their malicious scheming, driven by intense hatred and rage.

Psalm 55 3 Context

Psalm 55 is a lament, deeply personal and expressive of distress, confusion, and fear. The preceding verses (1-2) establish the psalmist's prayer for God to hear his cries and his sense of being overwhelmed by an "agitation" and "uproar." Verse 3 then immediately provides the specific source of this turmoil, articulating the external pressure from his adversaries. While often attributed to David, particularly during Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's betrayal (2 Sam 15-17), the psalm could also reflect a more generalized experience of injustice. It paints a picture of being hounded and oppressed, where even speech ("voice of the enemy") becomes a weapon of war.

Psalm 55 3 Word analysis

• Because of the voice (מִקֹּול - miqōl):

  • mi- (from/because of) indicates the source or reason.
  • qōl (קֹול): This Hebrew term generally means "sound" or "noise" (as in thunder, Gen 3:8; 1 Sam 7:10). Here, it carries the specific nuance of "clamor," "threat," "slander," or "abusive outcry." It refers to the words, accusations, and shouts of the enemy, implying a persistent, unsettling, and harmful verbal assault. It's not just a physical attack, but psychological and reputational.

• of the enemy (אוֹיֵב - ʾôyēḇ):

  • ʾôyēḇ is a common biblical term for an "adversary" or "foe." It derives from a root meaning "to be hostile." In the biblical context, an ʾôyēḇ is not just someone who disagrees but actively seeks to harm, oppose, or destroy, often driven by a spirit antithetical to God's ways.

• because of the oppression (מִפְּנֵי עָקַת - mippənê ʿāqaṯ):

  • mippənê (from the face of/because of) reinforces the causality.
  • ʿāqāh (עָקָה): This word implies crushing pressure, constriction, vexation, or cruelty. It is a severe form of affliction that feels inescapable and grinding. It refers to an active, burdensome force exerted by others, causing distress and narrowing one's options.

• of the wicked (רָשָׁע - rāšāʿ):

  • rāšāʿ is a crucial theological term meaning "wicked," "guilty," or "unrighteous." It denotes a person whose actions and character are contrary to God's law and righteousness. The Bible consistently distinguishes between the righteous and the rāšāʿ, highlighting their opposing paths and ends. They are characterized by disregard for divine or moral law, engaging in evil, and often acting without remorse.

• For they cast iniquity (כִּי־יָמִיטוּ עָלַי אָוֶן - kî yāmîṭū ʿālay ʾāwen):

  • kî (for/because) introduces the explanation for the oppression.
  • yāmîṭū (יָמִיטוּ): From the root mūṭ, meaning "to waver," "totter," "slip," "be shaken." In the causative hiphil stem here, "they cause to totter," "cause to fall," or "bring down." It implies deliberate action to make something fall or turn, indicating active malicious intent to cause the psalmist's downfall.
  • ʿālay (upon me).
  • ʾāwen (אָוֶן): This is a rich Hebrew term that can mean "iniquity," "evil," "mischief," "wickedness," but also "sorrow," "trouble," or "calamity." Here, "they cast iniquity upon me" could mean: 1) They attribute wickedness/sin to me (false accusation/slander). 2) They bring forth mischief/evil acts against me. 3) They cause trouble/calamity/sorrow to befall me. All these senses contribute to the profound suffering described. It often refers to destructive evil.

• and in wrath they hate me (וּבְאַף יִשְׂטְמוּנִי - ūḇəʾap̄ yiśṭəmûnî):

  • ūḇəʾap̄ (and in wrath): ʾap̄ (אַף) literally means "nose" or "nostril," but figuratively refers to "anger" or "wrath" (from the hot breath of an angry person). It denotes intense, fierce emotion.
  • yiśṭəmûnî (יִשְׂטְמוּנִי): From the root śāṭam, meaning "to hate," "to bear a grudge," "to be an adversary." This is a strong verb indicating deep-seated animosity, not mere dislike, but active and malevolent hatred, often with a desire for the downfall of the object of hate. It points to a profound personal vendetta.

• Words-group by Words-group analysis:

  • "Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked": This parallelism highlights two facets of the hostile environment: the verbal assault (voice) and the physical/situational pressure (oppression). The enemy is directly linked to wickedness, emphasizing the moral and spiritual nature of their opposition.
  • "For they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me": This clause elaborates on how the wicked act. "Casting iniquity" signifies malicious scheming, false accusation, or active infliction of harm. The final phrase, "in wrath they hate me," reveals the deep, intense, and destructive emotion driving these actions, portraying the adversaries as not merely inconvenient but consumed by animosity.

Psalm 55 3 Bonus section

The intense hatred described in Psalm 55:3 foreshadows the animosity faced by Christ. Just as David faced enemies who falsely accused him and hated him without cause, so too did Jesus experience unrelenting verbal abuse, slander, and a deep-seated, irrational hatred from religious leaders and those who opposed His truth (John 15:25, Matt 27:18). This verse illustrates the biblical theme that those who live righteously in a fallen world will often face unjust opposition, as their conduct exposes the sin of the wicked, provoking their wrath. The psalmist's lament then becomes a prototype for the suffering of all God's servants at the hands of those consumed by evil.

Psalm 55 3 Commentary

Psalm 55:3 provides the critical explanation for the psalmist's cries of anguish detailed in the preceding verses. It paints a vivid picture of multi-faceted distress originating from his adversaries. Their opposition is not subtle but characterized by the "voice" of hostile words—slander, threats, false accusations, and noisy antagonism that invades the peace of the soul. This verbal assault is compounded by the "oppression of the wicked," indicating a cruel and crushing pressure. These "wicked" are morally corrupt individuals, set against God and His people.

The heart of their maliciousness is further revealed by their intent to "cast iniquity upon me." This suggests a deliberate effort to inflict suffering, attribute false guilt, or bring down calamity upon the psalmist. It implies a legal or social context where enemies sought to bring charges or execute a harmful plan. This is not passive aggression but an active, focused malice. The driving force behind all these actions is profoundly personal and intense: "in wrath they hate me." Their hatred is fierce and hot, an emotional furnace fueling their destructive intent. The psalmist is not just an incidental victim; he is the specific target of intense, rage-filled detestation. This verse powerfully captures the feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by relentless, malicious human evil, highlighting why the righteous often cry out to God for deliverance.