Psalms 55:5 — Word Study
WLCיִרְאָ֣ה וָ֭רַעַד יָ֣בֹא בִ֑י וַ֝תְּכַסֵּ֗נִי פַּלָּצֽוּת׃
BSAheartlêb to twistchûwl entrailsqereb terrorʼêymâh deathmâveth to fallnâphal uponʻal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִרְאָ֣ה | fear | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וָ֭רַעַד | and trembling | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יָ֣בֹא | it comes | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בִ֑י | on me | Preposition, suffix |
| וַ֝תְּכַסֵּ֗נִי | and it has covered me | Verb piel sequential imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| פַּלָּצֽוּת׃ | shuddering | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me. |
| KJV | Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. |
| ASV | Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. |
| YLT | Fear and trembling come in to me, And horror doth cover me. |
| WEB | Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me. |
| BBE | Fear and shaking have come over me, with deep fear I am covered. |
Where they part company is וַ֝תְּכַסֵּ֗נִי — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with a conjunction and a verb phrase following it. The structure highlights the psalmist's immediate emotional response followed by the overwhelming effect of horror.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
subjectנָפַל
verbבְּ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 55:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Cry of Distressgenerated
Psalm 55:5 captures the psalmist's emotional state, where he is gripped by fear and trembling. This verse is part of a larger lament, where the psalmist expresses his anguish and desire to escape from his troubles, as seen in the preceding and following verses. The context reveals a deep sense of vulnerability and the overwhelming nature of his feelings, akin to the sentiments found in other psalms of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:120 | My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 15:14 | And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.” |
| 3 | Job 6:4 | For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. |
| 4 | Job 23:15–16 | Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him. |
| 5 | Psalm 42:6 | O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon— even from Mount Mizar. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יִרְאָה, yir'ahgenerated
The word יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun that means 'fear' or 'terror.' It encompasses both the emotional experience of fear and the concept of reverence, particularly towards God. This duality highlights the moral and emotional dimensions of fear, indicating not only a reaction to danger but also a sense of awe in the presence of the divine.
In this verse, it conveys the intensity of the psalmist's emotional turmoil, illustrating how fear can grip a person, leading to a profound sense of anxiety and dread.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses fear and trembling to convey the psalmist's emotional state.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יָ֣בֹא governs the verse, indicating what comes upon the psalmist. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject and a prepositional phrase that clarifies the relationship of the action to the psalmist.
The order emphasizes the immediacy of the fear and trembling that grip him, followed by the overwhelming horror that covers him.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִרְאָה as καρδία (kardia), meaning 'heart.' This choice highlights the emotional and psychological aspect of fear, suggesting a deep-seated reaction rather than a mere surface-level response.
The Greek word for trembling, ἐταράξθη (etaraxthē), conveys a sense of disturbance, aligning with the emotional turmoil expressed in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 55:5 expresses the psalmist's deep fear and anxiety. He feels gripped by terror and overwhelmed by horror, illustrating the intensity of his emotional distress. The surrounding verses reveal his longing for escape and relief from his suffering.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is describing a profound emotional response to his distress, indicating feelings of anxiety and dread.
This verse reflects common themes in psalms of lament, where the psalmist expresses vulnerability and a desire for relief from overwhelming circumstances.
The psalmist's honest expression of fear reminds us that it is natural to feel overwhelmed in difficult times, and it encourages us to bring our emotions before God.
Fear is significant as it captures the intensity of the psalmist's emotional state, illustrating the depth of his distress and the need for divine intervention.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some fears I have faced in my own life, and how have I dealt with them?
- How can I bring my feelings of fear and anxiety before God in prayer?
- In what ways can I support others who are experiencing fear or distress?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of acknowledging my emotions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of fear and divine assistance, illustrating its relevance in their theological reflections.
As for the person who wishes to be lifted up by the hand of Christ, let him first fly away himself, let him have his own wings, for one who flees from the world has wings.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 55 →
"Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and darkness has covered me" [Psalms 55:5].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 55 →
And yet, persecution and tribulation had become so great that he [Paul] was weary of life itself. Fear and trembling had come on him, and darkness had enveloped him, as you have heard when it was read in the psalm.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 55 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 55:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFearfulness and trembling are come upon me,.... Fear and dread of mind, and trembling of body; and horror hath overwhelmed me; or "covered me"; he was in the utmost consternation and surprise at what
Read John Gill on Psalms 55 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me ... And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 55 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.Ver. 5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me] Fearfulness of heart, and trembling of body, Timor cordis, tremor corporis; which last falleth out, when as the spirits flying back to the heart, to relieve it, leave the outward parts destitute. And horror hath overwhelmed me] This was David’ s infirmity; for he should have better fortified his heart against that cowardly passion of fear; the devil also had a finger in it. At another time David could better resolve and say, What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 55 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. Fearfulness] How natural is this description! He is in distress; - he mourns; - makes a noise; - sobs and sighs; - his heart is wounded - he expects nothing but death; - this produces fear; - this produces tremor, which terminates in that deep apprehension of approaching and inevitable ruin that overwhelms him with horror. No man ever described a wounded heart like David.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 55 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. horror hath overwhelmed me] The same phrase as in Ezekiel 7:18, “horror shall cover them.” The word occurs besides only in Job 21:6; Isaiah 21:4.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 55 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleFearfulness and trembling - Fear so great as to produce trembling. Compare the notes at Job 4:14. He knew not when these things would end.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 55 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible5. Horror—A rare word, translated trembling, Job 21:6; fearfulness, Isaiah 21:4; and horror, Ezekiel 7:18. Overwhelmed me— Septuagint, darkness has enveloped me. The psalmist was involved in doubt and apprehension.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 55 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me.
Tyndale line
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me.
Strictly literal
Fear and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling come in to me, And horror doth cover me.
Fear and trembling come to me, || And horror covers me.
(55:6) Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and shuddering hath covered me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
From the Latin
In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
Simplified
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
Fear and shaking have come over me, with deep fear I am covered.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. This consistency suggests a shared understanding of the psalmist's emotional state across different traditions.
יִרְאָ֣ה וָ֭רַעַד יָ֣בֹא בִ֑י וַ֝תְּכַסֵּ֗נִי פַּלָּצֽוּת׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 55:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' encompassing both the emotion and the concept of reverence, particularly in relation to God. It can denote an object that causes fear or the respect and piety associated with divine authority. The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions without significant disagreement.
יִרְאָה n.f. fear
fear, terror
a terror = obj. of terror
fear of God, reverence, piety
the fear of י׳ the law as revered.
base
H3374 יִרְאָה fear
3374 yir'ah yir-aw'
feminine of 3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally,
reverence:--X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
see HEBREW for 03373
יִרְאָה (yir.ah) — fear.
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
fer (yir'ah, yare'; phobos, phobeo):
Terms, etc.:
"Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: yir'ah, "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (Ge 20:11; 2Ch 19:9, etc.); also of "fear" generally (Job 22:4; Isa 7:25; Eze 30:13, etc.); yare', "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (Ge 15:1; Le 19:3,14; De 6:2, etc.); pachadh, "fear," "terror," "dread" (
→ See COWARDICE
→ Also see FEAR OF GOD, below
רַ֫עַד (ra'ad) means 'trembling' and is closely related to רְעַדָה (re'adah), which also means 'trembling.' Both forms derive from the same root, indicating a sense of shuddering or fear. The entries consistently emphasize this meaning without significant disagreement.
רַ֫עַד n.m. trembling
base
רְעַדָה n.f. id. [t.dj.ab]
base
H7461a רַ֫עַד trembling H7461b רְעַדָה id. [7461a]
7461 ra`ad rah'-ad
or (feminine) radah {reh-aw-daw'}; from 7460; a
shudder:--trembling.
see HEBREW for 07460
רַ֫עַד (ra.ad) — trembling.
trembling
Another spelling of re.a.dah (רְעַדָה "trembling" H7461B)
רְעַדָה (re.a.dah) — trembling.
trembling
Also means: ra.ad (רַ֫עַד "trembling" H7461A)
HC/Ncmsa — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HRd/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[כָּסָה] vb. cover
Qal
conceal
pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
Niph. covered
Pi.
cover, clothe
cover, conceal blood
cover (with covering of protection)
cover, spread over
cover, overwhelm
cover over
Pual.
be covered
be clothed
Hithp. cover, clothe oneself
base
H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal
. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
. covered
. . cover, clothe
. cover, conceal blood
. cover (with covering of protection)
. cover, spread over
. cover, overwhelm
. cover over
. . be covered
. be clothed
. cover, clothe oneself
3680 kacah kaw-saw'
a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;
by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad
self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,
overwhelm. Compare 3780.
see HEBREW for 03780
כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.
1) to cover, conceal, hide
1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be covered
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cover, clothe
1c2) to cover, conceal
1c3) to cover (for protection)
1c4) to cover over, spread over
1c5) to cover, overwhelm
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be covered
1d2) to be clothed
1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself
Hc/Vpw3fs/Sp1bs — Verb piel sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHc/Vpw3fs/Sp1bs
פַּלָּצוּת (pal.la.tsut) refers to a state of shuddering or trembling, often associated with feelings of fear or horror. It is derived from the root word פָּלַץ (palats), which conveys the idea of affright. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to fearfulness and trembling.
פַּלָּצוּת n.f. shuddering
base
H6427 פַּלָּצוּת shuddering
6427 pallatsuwth pal-law-tsooth'
from 6426; affright:--fearfulness, horror, trembling.
see HEBREW for 06426
פַּלָּצוּת (pal.la.tsut) — shuddering.
shuddering, trembling
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa