The Meaning of Psalms 55:12 Explained

Psalms 55:12

KJV: For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

YLT: For an enemy reproacheth me not, or I bear it, He who is hating me Hath not magnified himself against me, Or I hide from him.

Darby: For it is not an enemy that hath reproached me then could I have borne it; neither is it he that hateth me that hath magnified himself against me then would I have hidden myself from him;

ASV: For it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For [it was] not an enemy  [that] reproached  me; then I could have borne  [it]: neither [was it] he that hated  me [that] did magnify  [himself] against me; then I would have hid  myself from him: 

What does Psalms 55:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Such antagonism would have been easier for David to bear had it come from someone he disliked. However, his adversary had been an intimate friend who had just "stabbed him in the back."

Context Summary

Psalms 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: 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 55:12 mean?

For [it is] not an enemy [who] reproaches me and I could bear [it] nor [is it] one [who] hates me against me who has exalted [himself] and I could hide from him
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־ אוֹיֵ֥ב יְחָֽרְפֵ֗נִי וְאֶ֫שָּׂ֥א לֹֽא־ מְ֭שַׂנְאִי עָלַ֣י הִגְדִּ֑יל וְאֶסָּתֵ֥ר מִמֶּֽנּוּ

לֹֽא־  [it  is]  not 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אוֹיֵ֥ב  an  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
יְחָֽרְפֵ֗נִי  [who]  reproaches  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: חָרַף 
Sense: to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid.
וְאֶ֫שָּׂ֥א  and  I  could  bear  [it] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, first person common singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
לֹֽא־  nor  [is  it] 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
מְ֭שַׂנְאִי  one  [who]  hates  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
עָלַ֣י  against  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
הִגְדִּ֑יל  who  has  exalted  [himself] 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: גָּדַל  
Sense: to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things.
וְאֶסָּתֵ֥ר  and  I  could  hide 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive imperfect, first person common singular
Root: סָתַר  
Sense: to hide, conceal.
מִמֶּֽנּוּ  from  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.