What does Psalm 55:2 mean?
This expresses a sincere request along with deep distress. David asks God to listen to his prayer (Psalm 55:1) and answer as enemies inflict hardship (Psalm 55:3). Later verses will point out that David was betrayed by a close ally (Psalm 55:12–13). This further explains his state of shocked misery. He knows the enemy is closing in (Psalm 55:4–5). This has left him unsettled and confused. Modern English might say "David was thrown off," or "was not himself." Various translations use words such as "distracted" or "overwhelmed." Armies in such a state were easily defeated (Deuteronomy 7:23).No explicit event is tied to this psalm. However, David did experience extreme danger and betrayal when his son, Absalom, attempted a coup and was assisted by David's former advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15–18). Perhaps David's angst is magnified by knowing his own sin created the conditions for this danger. The rebellion had come about because of David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, her husband. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, he predicted: "'Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house'" (2 Samuel 12:10–11).
