What does Psalm 55:5 mean?

Often, David faced extreme danger. One example may have inspired this psalm: the rebellion of David's son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14). In addition to being threatened by his own child, David faced betrayal by a former trusted advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31; Psalm 55:12–13). This was a dire moment—David had reasons to fear the worst. He describes his sense of utter "horror," using a Hebrew term literally referring to trembling or shivering. If this was during the time of Absalom's rebellion, it would have been among the low points in David's life.

Fear can cause a believer to experience a lapse of faith. The disciple Peter boasted to Jesus that he would never fall away from Jesus (Matthew 26:33), but Jesus told him he would deny him three times that night "before the rooster crows" (Matthew 26:34). Later that night, Jesus was arrested, and Peter denied Jesus three times because of his own fear (Matthew 26:69–75).

It is comforting to look ahead in this psalm and see that David did not permanently succumb to fear. He renewed his trust in God (Psalm 55:16). Further reassurance comes from knowing the same man, David, wrote Psalm 23. There, he declared, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you [God] are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). Also, in Psalm 27:1 David was able to say, "The Lᴏʀᴅ is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lᴏʀᴅ is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"