The Meaning of Psalms 55:13 Explained

Psalms 55:13

KJV: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

YLT: But thou, a man -- as mine equal, My familiar friend, and mine acquaintance.

Darby: But it was thou, a man mine equal, mine intimate, my familiar friend. ...

ASV: But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But [it was] thou, a man  mine equal,  my guide,  and mine acquaintance. 

What does Psalms 55:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 55:12-23 - Friends May Forsake, But God Abideth
The streets and open spaces of the city were filled with conspirators. Violence, strife, deceit, and oppression trampled the virtuous and helpless under foot. The treachery of Ahithophel was worse than all. How different the hot anger of David from our Lord's treatment of Judas, when He washed Judas' feet, expostulated with him in the garden, and bade him pause to think to what he had come! Blessed is the soul that retires from the hubbub of the street-as David, Daniel, and all devout Israelites were wont to do-three times a day. Compare Psalms 55:17 with Daniel 6:10 and Acts 10:9. He will cover our heads in the day of battle and redeem our souls in peace, if only we will trust Him.
As the r.v. marginal rendering of Psalms 55:22 suggests, thy burden is that which God has given thee to carry. It did not come by chance nor from the evil intent of men. He cast it on thee; cast it back on Him. We cannot do our work so long as we stoop beneath the exhausting waste of anxiety and care. Hand all over to thy Father's care. Let no burdens break the Sabbath-keeping of thy heart! Nehemiah 13:19. [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 55:13 mean?

But [it was] you a man my equal My companion and my acquaintance
וְאַתָּ֣ה אֱנ֣וֹשׁ כְּעֶרְכִּ֑י אַ֝לּוּפִ֗י וּמְיֻדָּֽעִי

וְאַתָּ֣ה  But  [it  was]  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
אֱנ֣וֹשׁ  a  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
כְּעֶרְכִּ֑י  my  equal 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: עֵרֶךְ  
Sense: order, row, estimate, things that are set in order, layer, pile.
אַ֝לּוּפִ֗י  My  companion 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אַלּוּף 
Sense: tame, docile.
וּמְיֻדָּֽעִי  and  my  acquaintance 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Pual, Participle, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.