Psalms 55:14

Analysis & Commentary

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. This poignant verse appears within a psalm of deep anguish, where David laments betrayal by a close friend. The verse describes past intimacy and spiritual fellowship, making the subsequent treachery (v.12-13) even more devastating. This isn't betrayal by an enemy but by a trusted companion who shared both friendship and worship.

"We took sweet counsel together" (nashim sod, נַשִּׂים סוֹד) describes intimate, confidential conversation. Sod means secret counsel, intimate circle, confidential discussion—the kind of vulnerable sharing that occurs only among close friends. "Sweet" (metukim, מְתוּקִים) conveys pleasantness, agreeableness, delightful fellowship. These weren't superficial acquaintances but deep friends who shared hearts, discussed spiritual matters, and enjoyed each other's company. The verb form indicates ongoing practice: "we used to take sweet counsel," speaking of habitual fellowship now tragically ended.

"Walked unto the house of God in company" (berega nehalek bet Elohim, בְּרֶגֶשׁ נְהַלֵּךְ בֵּית אֱלֹהִים) intensifies the spiritual dimension of the friendship. Berega can mean "in a throng" or "in intimate fellowship," suggesting either they walked together amid the festive crowds going to worship, or they walked in close companionship. Either way, their friendship centered on shared worship. They didn't merely socialize but together pursued God, attending temple worship, discussing spiritual truths, encouraging each other's faith.

This makes the betrayal (described in surrounding verses) catastrophically painful. Verse 12-13 specifies: "For it was not an enemy that reproached me...But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance." The one who shared worship now works destruction. Many scholars see this as David's lament over Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15-17), when his trusted counselor joined his son's conspiracy. The pain resonates through centuries: Judas walked with Jesus to the temple, shared meals, heard teaching, witnessed miracles—then betrayed Him with a kiss.

Historical Context

Psalm 55 belongs to the genre of lament psalms, where the psalmist pours out anguish to God while maintaining faith despite suffering. The superscription attributes it to David, written during intense personal crisis involving betrayal, opposition, and danger. While the specific historical occasion isn't stated, 2 Samuel 15-17 records Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion—a close advisor abandoning David to support his treacherous son.

Ancient Near Eastern friendship carried covenantal weight. Friends were covenant partners who pledged loyalty, shared resources, and defended each other. David and Jonathan exemplified this in their covenant friendship (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:16-17). Betrayal of friendship violated sacred bonds, making it particularly heinous. Proverbs 17:17 defines genuine friendship: "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

"The house of God" refers to the tabernacle (later the temple), Israel's worship center where God's presence dwelt. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem for festivals were communal, joyful occasions. Psalm 122:1 celebrates: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Friends often traveled together to feasts, making the journey part of spiritual fellowship. That this betrayer shared such sacred experiences made the treachery more devastating.

Jesus directly applied this psalm to Judas's betrayal. John 13:18 quotes Psalm 41:9 (thematically related): "He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." Judas shared meals, heard teaching, witnessed miracles, even participated in ministry—yet betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver. The parallel between David's betrayal and Christ's shows how Old Testament sufferings foreshadow messianic suffering.

Church history records countless examples of spiritual friendship betrayed. Paul lamented: "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10). Every generation experiences the pain of those who once walked together in worship but later abandoned faith or turned against former friends.

Questions for Reflection

• How does shared worship and spiritual conversation deepen friendship beyond mere social compatibility?
• What makes betrayal by a close friend who shared spiritual fellowship more painful than opposition from acknowledged enemies?
• How did Jesus experience the fulfillment of this psalm's anguish through Judas's betrayal, and what does this reveal about His identification with human suffering?
• In what ways should we respond when someone who once walked with us to God's house later betrays trust or abandons faith?
• How can we cultivate friendships that center on shared worship and spiritual growth rather than merely common interests or mutual benefit?