The Meaning of Psalms 55:1 Explained

Psalms 55:1

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.

YLT: To the Overseer with stringed instruments. -- An instruction, by David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer, And hide not from my supplication.

Darby: {To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments: an instruction. Of David.} Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

ASV: Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{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. 

What does Psalms 55:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 55:1-11 - Fleeing The City's Ills
This psalm was suggested by Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's treachery. But it contains references which, in their full extent, are chiefly applicable to Judas' treatment of our Lord. The terrors of the unseen, the stealthy tread of the assassin, the treachery of a friend, the drawn sword under unctuous speech-such were the bitter ingredients mingled for this deeply-tried soul. But we have all known something of his disappointment and anguish, and have longed for the swift wings of a dove to escape to the bosom of God.
One of the Puritans says: "My Spouse is ascended higher than the highest heavens, and I, poor soul, am left desolate and disconsolate in this valley of tears. The weight of my weakness and my sins doth so clog and shackle me, so glue and nail me to the earth, that I cannot rise. Let Him descend and give me wings whereby I may ascend." Who will give-humility. Who will give wings-celerity. Like a dove-innocence. Fly away-aspirations to the Lord, "whom having not seen, we love." Rest-permanent security. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 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 55:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician with stringed instruments a Contemplation of David Give ear God to my prayer and not do hide Yourself from my supplication
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינֹ֗ת מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִֽד הַאֲזִ֣ינָה אֱ֭לֹהִים תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְאַל־ תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
בִּנְגִינֹ֗ת  with  stringed  instruments 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural
Root: נְגִינָה  
Sense: music, song, taunt song.
מַשְׂכִּ֥יל  a  Contemplation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַשְׂכִּיל  
Sense: (Hiphil) poem, song or poem of contemplation.
לְדָוִֽד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
הַאֲזִ֣ינָה  Give  ear 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: אָזַן  
Sense: to hear, listen.
אֱ֭לֹהִים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
תְּפִלָּתִ֑י  to  my  prayer 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: תְּפִלָּה  
Sense: prayer.
וְאַל־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
תִּ֝תְעַלַּ֗ם  do  hide  Yourself 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָלַם  
Sense: to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret.
מִתְּחִנָּתִֽי  from  my  supplication 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: תְּחִנָּה  
Sense: favour, supplication, supplication for favour.