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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 55:15 Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/55-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_055_015.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 55:15 - Cast Your Burden upon the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/55.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/55.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/55.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/55.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let death seize upon them, <i>and</i> let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness <i>is</i> in their dwellings, <i>and</i> among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/55.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness <i>is</i> in their dwellings <i>and</i> among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/55.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>May</i> death <i>come</i> deceitfully upon them; May they go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/55.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/55.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/55.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/55.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), For evil [of every kind] is in their dwelling <i>and</i> in their hearts, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/55.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, because evil is in their homes and within them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/55.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, because evil is in their homes and within them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/55.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let death come suddenly upon them, Let them go down alive into Sheol; For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/55.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All who hate me are controlled by the power of evil. Sentence them to death and send them down alive to the world of the dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/55.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let death come suddenly upon them, let them go down alive into the pit: for wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/55.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Let death suddenly take [wicked people]! Let them go into the grave while they are still alive, because evil lives in their homes as well as in their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/55.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />May my enemies die before their time; may they go down alive into the world of the dead! Evil is in their homes and in their hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/55.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Let death seize them! May they be plunged alive into the afterlife, for wicked things are in their homes and among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/55.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/55.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />May death destroy them! May they go down alive into Sheol! For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/55.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/55.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/55.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/55.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Desolations [are] on them, "" They go down [to] Sheol—alive, "" For wickedness [is] in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/55.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Desolations are upon them, They go down to Sheol -- alive, For wickedness is in their dwelling, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/55.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Death shall lay waste upon them; they shall go down living to hades, for evils in their sojournings in the midst of them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/55.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/55.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 54:16>Let death come upon them, and let them descend alive into Hellfire. For there is wickedness in their dwellings, in their midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/55.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let death take them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their homes and bellies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/55.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let death come upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol; for evil is in their homes and in their hearts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/55.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Bring death upon them; bury them alive in the grave, because there is evil among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/55.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Bring the plague upon them and they shall descend alive to Sheol because evil is within them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/55.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />May He incite death against them, Let them go down alive into the nether-world; For evil is in their dwelling, and within them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/55.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/55-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6513" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/55.htm">Cast Your Burden upon the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3451.htm" title="3451: yaš·šī·må̄·wɛṯ (N-cs) -- Let death seize. From yasham; desolation.">Let death seize them by surprise;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ʿå̄·lē·mō (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yê·rə·ḏū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">let them go down</a> <a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·wl (N-cs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">to Sheol</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">alive,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘ō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qir·bām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">is with them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4033.htm" title="4033: bim·ḡū·rām (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Or magur; from guwr in the sense of lodging; a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence.">in their homes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Proverbs 11:21</a></span><br />Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Proverbs 24:16-17</a></span><br />For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times. / Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-21.htm">Jeremiah 18:21-23</a></span><br />Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. / Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. / But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-11.htm">Isaiah 13:11</a></span><br />I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-22.htm">Isaiah 48:22</a></span><br />“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-21.htm">Isaiah 57:21</a></span><br />“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Numbers 16:30-33</a></span><br />But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” / As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-19.htm">1 Samuel 28:19</a></span><br />Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-14.htm">2 Samuel 17:14</a></span><br />Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a></span><br />You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-24.htm">Matthew 26:24</a></span><br />The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-3.htm">Luke 13:3</a></span><br />No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-5.htm">Luke 13:5</a></span><br />No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-24.htm">John 8:24</a></span><br />That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let death seize on them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.</p><p class="hdg">Let death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-13.htm">Psalm 59:13</a></b></br> Consume <i>them</i> in wrath, consume <i>them</i>, that they <i>may</i> not <i>be</i>: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-22.htm">Psalm 69:22-28</a></b></br> Let their table become a snare before them: and <i>that which should have been</i> for <i>their</i> welfare, <i>let it become</i> a trap… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-6.htm">Psalm 109:6-20</a></b></br> Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand… </p><p class="hdg">them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Numbers 16:30-34</a></b></br> But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that <i>appertain</i> unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-24.htm">Matthew 26:24</a></b></br> The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/1-25.htm">Acts 1:25</a></b></br> That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.</p><p class="hdg">hell, or the grave</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/9-17.htm">Psalm 9:17</a></b></br> The wicked shall be turned into hell, <i>and</i> all the nations that forget God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/41-2.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/psalms/55-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Deceitfully</a> <a href="/psalms/46-8.htm">Desolations</a> <a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/psalms/49-11.htm">Dwellings</a> <a href="/psalms/54-7.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/33-26.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/psalms/49-11.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/psalms/50-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/49-11.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/judges/9-31.htm">Incite</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-21.htm">Lodging</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/job/31-5.htm">Quick</a> <a href="/psalms/21-8.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/psalms/53-5.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/49-14.htm">Underworld</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/55-14.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/psalms/56-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm">Deceitfully</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Desolations</a> <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/psalms/74-20.htm">Dwellings</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/56-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/62-1.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/psalms/55-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/68-12.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-2.htm">Incite</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-29.htm">Lodging</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/psalms/119-60.htm">Quick</a> <a href="/psalms/69-24.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-9.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Underworld</a> <a href="/psalms/56-7.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/73-21.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 55</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/55-1.htm">David in his prayer complains of his fearful case</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/55-9.htm">He prays against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complains</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/55-16.htm">He comforts himself in God's preservation oh him, and confusion of his enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/55.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/55.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Let death seize them by surprise;</b><br>This phrase reflects a plea for divine justice against the psalmist's enemies. In biblical context, sudden death is often seen as a judgment from God, as seen in the fate of Korah and his followers in <a href="/numbers/16-31.htm">Numbers 16:31-33</a>. The psalmist's call for death to come unexpectedly underscores the severity of the betrayal he feels. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution, where unexpected calamity is a sign of divine intervention.<p><b>let them go down to Sheol alive,</b><br>Sheol is the Hebrew term for the realm of the dead, often depicted as a shadowy place where the deceased reside. The request for the enemies to descend alive into Sheol is reminiscent of the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who were swallowed by the earth as a direct act of God's judgment (<a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Numbers 16:30-33</a>). This imagery emphasizes the psalmist's desire for a dramatic and unmistakable act of divine justice. It also highlights the seriousness of the betrayal, warranting such a severe punishment.<p><b>for evil is with them in their homes.</b><br>The mention of evil residing in their homes suggests that the psalmist's adversaries are not only publicly wicked but also privately corrupt. This aligns with the biblical theme that God sees beyond outward appearances and judges the heart and actions within one's household (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>). The home, in ancient Israelite culture, was a place of refuge and family, making the presence of evil there particularly egregious. This phrase underscores the pervasive nature of their wickedness, justifying the psalmist's call for divine retribution.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often wrote about his struggles and prayers for deliverance from his enemies.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies/betrayers.htm">Enemies/Betrayers</a></b><br>The individuals or groups who have turned against David, causing him distress and prompting this imprecatory prayer.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm suggests that the events are taking place in or around the city, where David's enemies are plotting against him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil.htm">Evil</a></b><br>The moral corruption and wickedness that David perceives in his enemies, which is present in their homes and actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_betrayal.htm">The Reality of Betrayal</a></b><br>Betrayal is a painful reality that even the most faithful believers may experience. David's response in this psalm shows that it is appropriate to bring our deepest hurts to God in prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/imprecatory_prayers.htm">Imprecatory Prayers</a></b><br>While imprecatory prayers may seem harsh, they reflect a desire for God's justice. Believers can learn to balance righteous anger with a heart that seeks God's will and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>David's call for his enemies to be judged reminds us that ultimate justice belongs to God. We can trust Him to deal with wrongdoers in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_presence_of_evil.htm">The Presence of Evil</a></b><br>Recognizing the presence of evil in the world and in personal relationships is crucial. Believers are called to discern and confront evil with wisdom and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_deliverance.htm">Hope in Deliverance</a></b><br>Despite the presence of evil, there is hope in God's deliverance. David's psalms often move from lament to trust, teaching us to find hope in God's faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_55.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 55</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_'son_of_man'_in_ezekiel.htm">Did Jesus truly overcome death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_116_15_lessen_death's_tragedy.htm">Psalm 116:15 states 'precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints'--does this diminish the tragedy of death or contradict God's benevolence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_israelite_resurrection_belief.htm">If Psalm 49:15 promises redemption from Sheol, what historical or archaeological evidence supports the Israelite belief in a personal resurrection at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_believers_face_harm_if_god_protects.htm">Psalm 121:7 - Why do believers still face physical harm or death if the Psalm claims God preserves them from 'all evil'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/55.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Let death.--According to the written text we should render <span class= "ital">desolations upon them. </span>Here we have another sudden outburst of overmastering feeling.<p><span class= "bld">Quick</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>alive, perhaps with reminiscence of the fate of Korah. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/1-12.htm" title="Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:">Proverbs 1:12</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Hell.</span>--<span class= "ital">Sheol. </span>(See Note <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm" title="For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks?">Psalm 6:5</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">And among them.</span>--The conjunction is unnecessary. Render, <span class= "ital">in their dwellings, in their very midst.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/55.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let death seize upon them</span>. As this strophe begins (ver. 9), so it ends, with an imprecation. The psalmist calls on God to bring destruction upon the whole mass <span class="cmt_word">of</span> his enemies. Of the two readings in the original, the one adopted by our translators seems the best, "Let death come suddenly upon them." <span class="cmt_word">Let them go down quick</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> <span class="accented">alive</span>) into hell. There is an allusion to the fate of Korah and his company (<a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Numbers 16:30-33</a>), who "went down quick into the pit;" but probably the psalmist neither expected nor desired a literal fulfilment of his imprecation. The deaths of Ahithophel (<a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">2 Samuel 17:23</a>) and Absalom (<a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">2 Samuel 18:14, 15</a>), and of so many of Absalom's followers (<a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7, 8</a>), were quite a sufficient fulfilment. <span class="cmt_word">For wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.</span> (comp. vers. 3, 9-11). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/55-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Let death</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֨וֶת ׀</span> <span class="translit">(mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3451.htm">Strong's 3451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Let death seize </span><br /><br /><span class="word">seize them by surprise;</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֵ֗ימוֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lê·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let them go down</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵרְד֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Sheol</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁא֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> </span><span class="str2">Underworld (place to which people descend at death)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">alive,</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָע֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is with them</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qir·bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their homes.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּמְגוּרָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(bim·ḡū·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4033.htm">Strong's 4033: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sojourning place, dwelling place, a sojourning</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/55-15.htm">Psalm 55:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/55-15.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 55:15 Let death come suddenly on them (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/55-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 55:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 55:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/55-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 55:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 55:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>