Psalms Chapter 55 verse 9 Holy Bible
Destroy, O Lord, `and' divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
read chapter 55 in ASV
Send destruction on them, O Lord, make a division of tongues among them: for I have seen fighting and violent acts in the town.
read chapter 55 in BBE
Swallow [them] up, Lord; divide their tongue: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
read chapter 55 in DARBY
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
read chapter 55 in KJV
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
read chapter 55 in WBT
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
read chapter 55 in WEB
Swallow up, O Lord, divide their tongue, For I saw violence and strife in a city.
read chapter 55 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 9-15. - With a sudden transition, the writer passes from his own suffering, fears, and longings, to imprecations on his enemies, and a description of their wicked proceedings. In the course of his description he singles out one individual for special remark - one who had been his own guide, companion, and friend - but who had turned against him, and joined the company of his adversaries (vers. 12-14). Verse 9. - Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues. The second clause contains a reference to the confusion of tongues at Babel (Genesis 11:7). "Introduce confusion into their counsels, and disperse them, as thou didst with the wicked ones who were forced to leave off to build the Tower." For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Such quarrels and broils, i.e., as usually precede revolutionary disturbance.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Destroy.--Literally, swallow up. So the LXX., forcibly, "drown in the sea." The object them must be supplied.This sudden change from plaintive sadness to violent invective is one of the marked features of this poem. Some think there has been a transposition of verses, but in lyric poetry these abrupt transitions of tone are not uncommon nor unpleasing.Divide their tongues--i.e., cause division in their councils. "Divide their voices" would be almost English, being exactly the opposite of Shakespeare's "a joint and corporate voice."For I have seen.--With the sense, and see still.
