Psalms 55:23

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאַתָּ֤ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀

H430

But thou O God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

תּוֹרִדֵ֬ם׀

H3381

shalt bring them down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לִבְאֵ֬ר

H875

into the pit

a pit; especially a well

שַׁ֗חַת

H7845

of destruction

a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction

אַנְשֵׁ֤י

H582

men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

דָמִ֣ים

H1818

bloody

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וּ֭מִרְמָה

H4820

and deceitful

fraud

לֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#10

יֶחֱצ֣וּ

H2673

shall not live out half

to cut or split in two; to halve

#11

יְמֵיהֶ֑ם

H3117

their days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#12

וַ֝אֲנִ֗י

H589

#13

אֶבְטַח

H982

but I will trust

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

#14

בָּֽךְ׃

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?