9 Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it, 11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place. 12 It is not an enemy who taunts me--then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me--then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship. 15 Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 55:9-15
Commentary on Psalm 55:9-15
(Read Psalm 55:9-15)
No wickedness so distresses the believer, as that which he witnesses in those who profess to be of the church of God. Let us not be surprised at the corruptions and disorders of the church on earth, but long to see the New Jerusalem. He complains of one that had been very industrious against him. God often destroys the enemies of the church by dividing them. And an interest divided against itself cannot long stand. The true Christian must expect trials from professed friends, from those with whom he has been united; this will be very painful; but by looking unto Jesus we shall be enabled to bear it. Christ was betrayed by a companion, a disciple, an apostle, who resembled Ahithophel in his crimes and doom. Both were speedily overtaken by Divine vengeance. And this prayer is a prophecy of the utter, the everlasting ruin, of all who oppose and rebel against the Messiah.