Psalms 55:11 (KJV)

What does Psalms 55:11 mean?

Psalms 55:11 describes a city filled with wrongdoing, where dishonesty and trickery are constantly present in its streets and never seem to leave. The verse paints a picture of persistent moral decay and a community where evil is deeply rooted and visible in everyday life.

In this psalm, David is speaking, expressing his distress over the corruption and betrayal he sees around him, likely in Jerusalem. He is not just talking about isolated acts but about a widespread and ongoing problem, where wickedness and deceit have become a normal part of the city’s atmosphere. This verse helps set the emotional tone of the psalm, showing David’s sense of being surrounded by treachery and injustice.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 55:11

• Wickedness (הַוָּה, havvah): This word often refers to ruin, disaster, or moral evil. Here, it highlights not just bad actions but a destructive force at the heart of the city.
• Deceit (תֹּךְ, tokh) and Guile (מִרְמָה, mirmah): Both words point to dishonesty, but מִרְמָה (mirmah) especially carries the sense of cunning or trickery. Their pairing emphasizes that lies and schemes are not just present but are a constant feature of daily life.
• Streets (רְחֹב, rekhov): This word refers to open public spaces, suggesting that the corruption is not hidden but out in the open, affecting everyone.

Why Psalms 55:11 matters

• This verse clarifies that the problem David sees is not just private sin but public, widespread corruption that affects the whole community.
• The emphasis on deceit and guile “not departing” from the streets shows how deeply entrenched these problems are, making the situation feel hopeless and overwhelming.
• Understanding this verse helps the reader grasp the depth of David’s distress and why he feels betrayed and unsafe, which is central to the emotional force of the entire psalm.