Psalms 55:19
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁמַ֤ע׀
shall hear
H8085
יִשְׁמַ֤ע׀
shall hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֨ל׀
God
H410
אֵ֨ל׀
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 13
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְֽיַעֲנֵם֮
H6031
וְֽיַעֲנֵם֮
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
3 of 13
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
וְיֹ֤שֵׁ֥ב
them even he that abideth
H3427
וְיֹ֤שֵׁ֥ב
them even he that abideth
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
קֶ֗דֶם
of old
H6924
קֶ֗דֶם
of old
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
5 of 13
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְלֹ֖א
H3808
וְלֹ֖א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.Jeremiah 48:11Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.Ecclesiastes 8:11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.Zephaniah 1:12And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.Isaiah 36:20Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?Colossians 1:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.Psalms 78:59When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:Psalms 143:12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.Psalms 65:5By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
Historical Context
The reference to God's eternal reign 'from old' connects to Israel's foundational confession of YHWH's sovereignty from creation. Those who 'have no changes' are contrasted with those whom God transforms through covenant renewal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's unchanging character provide both comfort to the faithful and warning to the rebellious?
- What evidence of spiritual transformation should mark those who truly fear God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's eternality ('from old') grounds His present action against the wicked. The Hebrew 'anah' (afflict/humble) reveals God's active judgment on those who refuse repentance. 'No changes' indicates hardness of heart—the wicked's immutability in rebellion contrasts with God's unchanging righteousness, demonstrating that apostasy results from persistent resistance to grace.