The Meaning of Psalms 55:9 Explained

Psalms 55:9

KJV: Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

YLT: Swallow up, O Lord, divide their tongue, For I saw violence and strife in a city.

Darby: Swallow them up, Lord; divide their tongue: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

ASV: Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Destroy,  O Lord,  [and] divide  their tongues:  for I have seen  violence  and strife  in the city. 

What does Psalms 55:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 55:1-11 - Fleeing The City's Ills
This psalm was suggested by Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's treachery. But it contains references which, in their full extent, are chiefly applicable to Judas' treatment of our Lord. The terrors of the unseen, the stealthy tread of the assassin, the treachery of a friend, the drawn sword under unctuous speech-such were the bitter ingredients mingled for this deeply-tried soul. But we have all known something of his disappointment and anguish, and have longed for the swift wings of a dove to escape to the bosom of God.
One of the Puritans says: "My Spouse is ascended higher than the highest heavens, and I, poor soul, am left desolate and disconsolate in this valley of tears. The weight of my weakness and my sins doth so clog and shackle me, so glue and nail me to the earth, that I cannot rise. Let Him descend and give me wings whereby I may ascend." Who will give-humility. Who will give wings-celerity. Like a dove-innocence. Fly away-aspirations to the Lord, "whom having not seen, we love." Rest-permanent security. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 55

1  David in his prayer complains of his fearful case
9  He prays against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complains
16  He comforts himself in God's preservation oh him, and confusion of his enemies

What do the individual words in Psalms 55:9 mean?

Destroy Lord [and] divide their tongues for I have seen violence and strife in the city
בַּלַּ֣ע אֲ֭דֹנָי פַּלַּ֣ג לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם כִּֽי־ רָאִ֨יתִי חָמָ֖ס וְרִ֣יב בָּעִֽיר

בַּלַּ֣ע  Destroy 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: בָּלַע 
Sense: to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up.
אֲ֭דֹנָי  Lord 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲדֹנָי  
Sense: my lord, lord.
פַּלַּ֣ג  [and]  divide 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: פָּלַג  
Sense: to divide, split.
לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם  their  tongues 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.
רָאִ֨יתִי  I  have  seen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
חָמָ֖ס  violence 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָמָס  
Sense: violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice.
וְרִ֣יב  and  strife 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
בָּעִֽיר  in  the  city 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.