Psalms 55:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 55:2 mean?

Psalms 55:2 is a plea from the psalmist, asking God to listen and pay attention as he pours out his troubled heart. The verse shows the psalmist expressing deep distress, describing himself as mourning and making noise because of his overwhelming complaint.

David is the speaker in Psalms 55:2, directing his words to God during a time of personal anguish and betrayal. The verse highlights his emotional state—he is not just quietly praying but is openly lamenting, almost crying out in pain. This sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, where David continues to lay out his fears and troubles before God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 55:2

• "Attend" (קַשֵּׁ֣ב, qashshev; H7181) means to pay close attention or give heed. The word suggests that David is urgently asking God not just to hear, but to focus on his plea.
• "Mourn" (רוּד, rud; H7300) often carries the sense of wandering restlessly or being agitated. David is not just sad; he is unsettled and deeply troubled, which adds intensity to his prayer.
• "Complaint" (שִׂיחִי, siḥi; H7879) refers to a musing or meditation, but here it means a troubled, anxious outpouring. David is not presenting a formal prayer but an honest, emotional complaint.
• "Noise" (הָמָה, hamah; H1949) means an uproar or groaning. This word shows that David’s distress is so great it cannot be contained quietly—it comes out as a loud cry or moan.

Why Psalms 55:2 matters

• Psalms 55:2 clears up the idea that prayer must always be calm or composed; David’s example shows that honest, even noisy, expressions of pain are welcomed by God.
• The verse emphasizes the depth of David’s trouble, helping readers understand that the psalm is rooted in real, raw emotion rather than polite religious language.
• By starting with this intense plea, Psalms 55:2 sets up the rest of the psalm’s themes of betrayal, fear, and trust in God, giving context to the psalmist’s later requests and declarations.