Verse 1
"For the conductor, with stringed music, a maskil of David."
"For the conductor" means it was given to the one who led the singing, and "a maskil" is a psalm of wisdom and understanding.
Verse 18
"Evening, morning, and noon I complain and moan, and He hears my voice."
Three times a day, without ceasing, I pour out my heart and even moan from pain — and I trust that God hears my prayer.
Verse 19
"He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle against me, for there were many with me."
God brought my soul into peace, out of the war waged against me, for many stood at my side.
Verse 20
"God will hear and humble them, He who is enthroned of old, Selah, those who have no changes and do not fear God."
God hears and answers the wicked according to their deeds. He is enthroned from of old, the eternal King. They do not turn from their evil way, and they do not fear God.
Verse 21
"He has stretched out his hands against those at peace with him; he has profaned his covenant."
The betrayer struck at the very ones who were at peace with him, and broke the bond of trust between them. The verse returns to the pain of betrayal from the previous part.
Verse 22
"The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they are drawn swords."
His mouth spoke smooth and soft as butter, but in his heart hid war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Verse 23
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved."
Place upon God all your burden and worry, and He will hold you, provide for you, and sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. This is the heart of the psalm and its chorus: complete trust in God.
Verse 24
"But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You."
You, O God, will bring the wicked down to the pit. Men of violence and deceit will not complete even half their days. And I, facing it all, will trust in You alone. So the psalm closes — in faith.
This part seals the journey of Psalm 55: from pain and betrayal to rest and trust. David teaches that even after the hardest disappointment, one can cast everything upon God and find in Him the support that never betrays.