Bible Strands
Psalms 55:14
We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses a former close companion who has turned against him, recalling their past intimacy immediately after identifying the traitor in verse 13 and before praying for his downfall in verse 15.
The words — The Hebrew ס֑וֹד (Sod) literally means "counsel" or "secret fellowship," paired with נַמְתִּ֣יק (nam.Tik), "we made sweet," to describe their former bond. This phrasing emphasizes the depth of trust they once shared in sacred gatherings.
The thread — The motif of walking with the multitude to God's house echoes Psalms 42:4 and Psalms 122:1, where communal worship is remembered. Conversely, Ezekiel 33:31 warns that such outward religious participation becomes hollow when unaccompanied by obedience.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that betrayal cuts deepest when it occurs within trusted relationships and sacred community. It requires the reader to confront the reality that broken trust necessitates honest lament rather than superficial reconciliation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Cross-references
- Psalms 42:4 These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.
- Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
- Psalms 122:1 A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
- Isaiah 2:3 And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.