Psalm 55:1
ESV
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
NIV
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
NASB
Listen to my prayer, God; And do not hide Yourself from my pleading.
CSB
For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help.
NLT
Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help!
KJV
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
NKJV
{To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.} Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
What does Psalm 55:1 mean?
David pleads with the Lord not to ignore his prayer. He calls for mercy and rescue, pouring out his heart to God. Though David does not specifically describe the situation, he refers to enemies (Psalm 55:3), the threat of death (Psalm 55:4), and the betrayal of a close friend (Psalm 55:12–13). This resembles his experience with Ahithophel, once David's trusted counselor, who sided with David's son, Absalom, in a rebellion (2 Samuel 15—18).Seeking the Lord during trying times is always a wise choice. God promises to hear and answer those who call upon Him. Jeremiah 33:3 communicates His invitation to call to Him and His promise to answer. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray persistently. He assured the disciples, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9–10).
This song is directed to a "choirmaster," likely the person supervising music in the temple. It is also described as a maskiyl, likely meaning a reflective, contemplative song.
