The Meaning of Psalms 55:19 Explained

Psalms 55:19

KJV: God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

YLT: God doth hear and afflict them, And He sitteth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, and fear not God,

Darby: God will hear, and afflict them: he that is seated of old, (Selah) ... because there is no change in them, and they fear not God.

ASV: God will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, Selah The men who have no changes, And who fear not God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

God  shall hear,  and afflict  them, even he that abideth  of old.  Selah.  Because they have no changes,  therefore they fear  not God. 

What does Psalms 55:19 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 55:19 mean?

Will hear God and afflict them and Even He who abides from of old Selah Because not do change they therefore not they do fear God
יִשְׁמַ֤ע ׀ אֵ֨ל ׀ וְֽיַעֲנֵם֮ וְיֹ֤שֵׁ֥ב קֶ֗דֶם סֶ֥לָה אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵ֣ין חֲלִיפ֣וֹת לָ֑מוֹ וְלֹ֖א יָרְא֣וּ אֱלֹהִֽים

יִשְׁמַ֤ע ׀  Will  hear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
אֵ֨ל ׀  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
וְֽיַעֲנֵם֮  and  afflict  them 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: עָנָה 
Sense: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with.
וְיֹ֤שֵׁ֥ב  and  Even  He  who  abides 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
קֶ֗דֶם  from  of  old 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶדֶם 
Sense: east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime.
סֶ֥לָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.
אֲשֶׁ֤ר  Because 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
חֲלִיפ֣וֹת  do  change 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: חֲלִיפָה  
Sense: a change, change (of garments), replacement.
וְלֹ֖א  therefore  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָרְא֣וּ  they  do  fear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
אֱלֹהִֽים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).