Psalm 55 5

Psalm 55:5 kjv

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Psalm 55:5 nkjv

Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.

Psalm 55:5 niv

Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

Psalm 55:5 esv

Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

Psalm 55:5 nlt

Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can't stop shaking.

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 5 Meaning

Psalm 55:5 profoundly expresses the overwhelming anguish and terror experienced by the psalmist, often identified as King David. It vividly portrays a state of complete emotional and physical distress where fear, trembling, and horror consume and envelop the individual, signifying a loss of control and an extreme spiritual and psychological burden.

Psalm 55 5 Context

Psalm 55 is a passionate lament attributed to King David, revealing deep personal agony and betrayal. The psalm opens with a plea for God to hear his prayer, describing the overwhelming nature of his adversaries and their oppressive deeds (vv. 1-3). The psalmist's distress is internal, expressed by a heart in anguish and "terrors of death" falling upon him (v. 4). Verse 5 escalates this depiction of inner torment, using vivid language to convey complete envelopment by dreadful emotions. The psalmist's desperation culminates in a fervent wish to flee to a place of rest and escape the storm of his troubles (vv. 6-8). This psalm is understood to arise from a specific context of profound betrayal, likely by a close friend or trusted companion, such as Ahithophel's desertion during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15-17), intensifying the suffering and the feeling of helplessness. The psalmist's struggle is not just with external enemies but with the devastation of a broken bond, highlighting the spiritual and psychological impact of sin and treachery within the community.

Psalm 55 5 Word analysis

• Fear (פַּחַד - pachad): This Hebrew term denotes dread, terror, or panic. It often refers to a deep, visceral fear that can cause one to recoil or be overwhelmed. Here, it signifies not merely a fleeting emotion but a pervasive, seizing terror that comes upon the psalmist. It contrasts with a reverential "fear of the LORD" by denoting an oppressive, agonizing experience.
• and trembling (וְרַעֲדָה - wera'adah): This word indicates a physical quivering, shivering, or convulsion caused by intense emotion such as fear, agitation, or dread. It suggests a bodily reaction to the "fear," manifesting internally and externally, underscoring the severity of the psychological impact. This combination shows a full bodily and mental reaction.
• come upon me (יָבֹוא עָלַי - yavo alai): Literally "it comes upon me." This active phrase depicts these emotions as external forces invading and overpowering the psalmist, rather than simply originating from within him. It emphasizes their inescapable and forceful nature, as if they are attackers seizing hold.
• horror (פַּלָּצוּת - pallaṣuṯ): A very strong Hebrew word meaning shuddering, terror, or a fearful shaking. It suggests an intense and almost grotesque form of dread, producing a profound feeling of revulsion or petrification. This term amplifies the severity beyond mere fear and trembling, indicating a state of absolute revulsion or dread that paralyzes.
• overwhelms me (כִּסָּתְנִי - kissetānī): Derived from the verb kasah, meaning "to cover," "to conceal," or "to inundate." In this context, it vividly illustrates the sensation of being completely enveloped, submerged, or drowned by the emotion of horror. It implies a total loss of capacity to cope or resist, highlighting the extent to which these feelings have taken control.
• "Fear and trembling come upon me": This phrase captures an unbidden, involuntary seizure by intense, distressing emotions, both psychological dread (pachad) and its physical manifestation (ra'adah). It speaks to a common human experience of feeling suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety and panic, particularly in moments of extreme crisis or threat.
• "horror overwhelms me": This climactic expression indicates the apex of the psalmist's suffering. The specific use of "horror" and its depiction as a force that completely covers and submerges suggests an experience akin to spiritual or existential dread, where one feels utterly consumed and suffocated by distress.

Psalm 55 5 Bonus section

The sequence of emotions presented—fear (pachad), trembling (ra'adah), and horror (pallaṣuṯ)—suggests a deepening spiral of distress, moving from an initial fright to a physically manifest trembling, then to an absolute, shuddering dread that seizes the entire being. The choice of kissetānī ("overwhelms/covers me") implies not just feeling these emotions, but being swallowed by them, indicating a severe sense of helplessness and isolation. This state reflects the psychological and spiritual toll of a shattered sense of security and belonging due to treachery, which is particularly devastating for one accustomed to divine favor and human loyalty. The verse can also be seen as an archetypal expression of spiritual oppression or trials where the enemy's aim is to completely destabilize one's internal peace and faith, emphasizing the necessity of casting one's burden on the Lord (Ps 55:22).

Psalm 55 5 Commentary

Psalm 55:5 paints a vivid and potent picture of human desolation and anguish. David’s language is not hyperbolic; it articulates a state of being utterly overcome by dread. The accumulation of terms—fear, trembling, and horror—is intentional, showing a progression from mental distress to physical manifestation, culminating in a sensation of being utterly smothered by terror. This is not simply worry, but a full-body, soul-crushing experience. It reflects the vulnerability of even God's chosen king to profound emotional pain, underscoring that faith does not exempt one from suffering. Rather, it highlights the desperate cry that drives the sufferer back to God, for only He can deliver from such all-encompassing darkness. This verse reminds believers that extreme anguish is a real human experience, even for those deeply rooted in God, and that such pain is a valid ground for fervent prayer.