What is the meaning of Psalm 55:19? God will hear - David’s confidence is immediate: “God will hear” (v. 19). He expects the Lord to act just as He always has. - Scripture repeats this promise: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears” (Psalm 34:17); “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are inclined to their prayer” (1 Peter 3:12). - The phrase assures every believer that the situation has reached God’s throne room. He is not distant, distracted, or undecided. And humiliate them - Hearing is followed by humbling. God does more than listen; He intervenes. - Psalm 9:16 notes, “The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.” In Psalm 147:6, “The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.” - For the believer, this means we need not orchestrate our own vindication. God Himself will bring the proud low (James 4:6). The One enthroned for the ages - David pauses to remind us who is acting: “the One enthroned for the ages.” His sovereignty is eternal. - Psalm 93:2 declares, “Your throne has been established from long ago; You are from all eternity.” Revelation 4:9-10 pictures heavenly beings worshiping the everlasting King. - Because His throne is eternal, His judgments are final; no earthly power can overturn His verdict. Selah - “Selah” invites reflection. Pause and absorb the reality that the eternal King both hears and humbles. - Similar pauses appear in Psalm 3:4, where David says, “I cried to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain—Selah.” Each “Selah” encourages the reader to let truth sink in before moving on. Because they do not change - The reason judgment is coming: stubborn refusal to repent. - Jeremiah 18:11-12 shows the same hardheartedness: the people reply, “We will follow our own plans.” Romans 2:5 warns of “stubbornness and unrepentant heart” storing up wrath. - God’s patience has limits when confronted by constant rebellion (Proverbs 29:1). They have no fear of God - Lack of holy fear underlies their unwillingness to change. - Psalm 36:1 sums it up: “There is no fear of God before his eyes.” Paul echoes this in Romans 3:18. - Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” so rejecting that fear leaves a person without wisdom or restraint. - For believers, cultivating reverent fear keeps hearts soft and responsive (Philippians 2:12-13). summary Psalm 55:19 assures us that the eternal King personally hears His children and will humble the unrepentant. His everlasting throne guarantees that His decisions stand. We pause (Selah) to let this truth steady our faith: unchanging rebellion and a lack of reverent fear invite God’s judgment, but humble trust secures His attentive care. |