The Meaning of Psalms 55:20 Explained

Psalms 55:20

KJV: He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

YLT: He hath sent forth his hands against his well-wishers, He hath polluted his covenant.

Darby: He hath put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him; he hath profaned his covenant.

ASV: He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He hath put forth  his hands  against such as be at peace  with him: he hath broken  his covenant. 

What does Psalms 55:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 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: Psalm 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 55:20 mean?

He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him He has broken his covenant
שָׁלַ֣ח יָ֭דָיו בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו חִלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתֽוֹ

שָׁלַ֣ח  He  has  put  forth 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יָ֭דָיו  his  hands 
Parse: Noun, fdc, third person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו  against  those  who  were  at  peace  with  him 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלֹום  
Sense: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.
חִלֵּ֥ל  He  has  broken 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָלַל 
Sense: to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin.
בְּרִיתֽוֹ  his  covenant 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בְּרִית  
Sense: covenant, alliance, pledge.