The Meaning of Psalms 55:3 Explained

Psalms 55:3

KJV: Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

YLT: Because of the voice of an enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked, For they cause sorrow to move against me, And in anger they hate me.

Darby: Because of the voice of the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

ASV: Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Because of the voice  of the enemy,  because  of the oppression  of the wicked:  for they cast  iniquity  upon me, and in wrath  they hate  me. 

What does Psalms 55:3 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 55:3 mean?

because of the voice of the enemy because of the oppression of the wicked for they bring down upon me trouble and in wrath they hate me
מִקּ֤וֹל אוֹיֵ֗ב מִפְּנֵ֣י עָקַ֣ת רָשָׁ֑ע כִּי־ יָמִ֥יטוּ עָלַ֥י אָ֝֗וֶן וּבְאַ֥ף יִשְׂטְמֽוּנִי

מִקּ֤וֹל  because  of  the  voice 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
אוֹיֵ֗ב  of  the  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
מִפְּנֵ֣י  because 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
עָקַ֣ת  of  the  oppression 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: עָקָה  
Sense: oppression, pressure.
רָשָׁ֑ע  of  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
יָמִ֥יטוּ  they  bring  down 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מֹוט  
Sense: to totter, shake, slip.
עָלַ֥י  upon  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.
אָ֝֗וֶן  trouble 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָוֶן 
Sense: trouble, wickedness, sorrow.
וּבְאַ֥ף  and  in  wrath 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַף 
Sense: nostril, nose, face.
יִשְׂטְמֽוּנִי  they  hate  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, first person common singular
Root: שָׂטַם  
Sense: to hate, oppose oneself to, bear a grudge, retain animosity against, cherish animosity against.