Psalms 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְאָ֣ה
Fearfulness
H3374
יִרְאָ֣ה
Fearfulness
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
1 of 6
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
Historical Context
Written during Absalom's rebellion or Ahithophel's betrayal (2 Samuel 15-17), when David faced both political crisis and personal treachery. The psalm's superscription indicates it was set to Nehiloth, possibly wind instruments, for public worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does acknowledging fear before God differ from being overcome by it?
- In what ways does Christ's experience of anguish validate your own emotional struggles?
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Analysis & Commentary
The Hebrew 'pachad' (fear/terror) and 'ra'ad' (trembling) reveal David's visceral response to betrayal. This prophetically anticipates Christ's anguish in Gethsemane, where divine sovereignty met human vulnerability. The parallel in Psalm 22 and Christ's Passion demonstrates how God's elect experience genuine emotional suffering while remaining under divine providence.