Psalms 55:15

Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist speaks to God about a former intimate associate who previously shared meals and worshipped in the temple. This declaration follows the psalmist's statement that he called on God and received deliverance.

The words — The phrase יַשּׁ֤י מָ֨וֶת (ya.shi ma.vet) literally renders "may death seize/deceive them," while יֵרְד֣וּ שְׁא֣וֹל חַיִּ֑ים (ye.re du she.ol chai.yim) means "may they go down alive to Sheol." The clause כִּֽי־רָע֖וֹת בִּ/מְגוּרָ֣/ם (ki-ra.ot bi-m.gu.ra/m) states "for evil deeds [are] in their dwelling place."

The thread — The motif of sudden divine strike and descent to Sheol appears in Psalms 59:13, 9:17, and 64:7, which similarly describe God's abrupt judgment on the wicked.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that hidden corruption within trusted circles justifies immediate divine intervention rather than human tolerance.

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

יַשִּׁ֤י מָ֨וֶת׀ya.Shi/ /Ma.vetmay it deceive/ /death עָלֵ֗ימוֹ'a.Lei./movon/ them יֵרְד֣וּye.re.Dumay they go down שְׁא֣וֹלshe.'olSheol חַיִּ֑יםchai.Yimalive כִּֽי־ki-for רָע֖וֹתra.'otevil deeds בִּמְגוּרָ֣םbi/m.gu.Ra/m[are] in/ sojourning-place/ their בְּקִרְבָּֽם׃be./kir.Ba/min/ inner being/ their

King James Version

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

Cross-references

Psalms 59:13 Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah
Psalms 9:17 The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God.
Psalms 64:7 But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
Psalms 109:6 Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
Acts 1:18 (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.
Numbers 16:30 But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.”
2 Samuel 18:14 But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.
Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Matthew 27:5 So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Acts 1:25 to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”