oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
The mention of "oppression and deceit" indicates a society plagued by injustice and falsehood. In ancient Israel, the streets were not only physical pathways but also places of social interaction and commerce. The presence of oppression and deceit in the streets suggests that these sins were pervasive and affected all aspects of life. This reflects the broader biblical theme of social justice, where God calls His people to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8). The persistent nature of these sins points to a systemic issue, reminiscent of the prophets' calls for repentance and reform, such as in Isaiah 1:21-23. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance from sin and deceit through Jesus Christ, who embodies truth and justice (John 14:6).

“Destruction is within” (Psalm 55:11) pictures ruin festering in the heart of the city, not merely at its borders. The danger David mourns isn’t an invading army but a moral collapse birthed from the inside.

• In Proverbs 11:3 we read, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them,” echoing the idea that decay springs from corrupted hearts rather than external pressure.

• Jesus lamented, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often I have longed to gather your children together” (Matthew 23:37), revealing how inward rejection of God sparked eventual devastation.

• Isaiah 1:4–7 similarly diagnoses Judah: rebellion within led to “your cities burned with fire.”

God’s people are warned: when sin is tolerated privately, catastrophe will soon be public.

David adds, “oppression and deceit” are embedded in daily life. The terms capture two sides of injustice—crushing others by force and manipulating them by falsehood.

• Micah 6:11–12 indicts those whose “rich men are full of violence; the inhabitants speak lies.”

• In James 5:4 workers cry out because wages are withheld, showing oppression can hide beneath business as usual.

• Jesus exposes the religious leaders in Luke 11:39, whose cup is “clean on the outside” yet filled with “greed and wickedness,” illustrating deceit wrapped in respectable clothing.

When truth and mercy disappear, society unravels no matter how prosperous it looks.

The phrase “never leave the streets” highlights the relentless, public nature of the sin. It is not an occasional lapse; it’s a permanent resident.

• Amos 3:10 says, “They do not know how to do right… they store up violence and destruction in their fortresses,” portraying constant wrongdoing as a way of life.

• Revelation 18:23 pictures Babylon where “your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery,” again connecting ceaseless deception with eventual judgment.

• Proverbs 28:2 reminds us, “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,” suggesting chronic disorder when evil continually stalks the streets.

Persistent sin deadens conscience, making repentance harder and judgment inevitable.

Psalm 55:11 warns that when a community allows inward decay, tolerates oppression, and normalizes deceit, devastation is sure to follow. The verse calls believers to guard the heart, confront injustice, and prize truth, confident that God sees every street and will ultimately vindicate righteousness.

Streets.--Rather, squares, the open space at the

gate of an Oriental city where public business was conducted. It is a miserable picture of mis-government; in the very seat of justice is nothing but oppression and guile.