Psalms 55:19
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
Psalms 55:19
This verse personifies God as a listener who hears and responds to oppression. “God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old” signals divine justice against the proud or faithless (Selah). The phrase “abideth of old” points to God’s eternal, unchanging nature. The psalmist contrasts God’s steadfastness with those who “have no changes,” i.e., religious or moral infidelity—people who are inconsistent or morally untrustworthy. The rhetorical question implies that those who refuse to repent will face God’s discipline. In the Psalter, God’s hearing is not passive; it leads to corrective action against the unjust. The context of Psalm 55 includes betrayal by a close ally and the repeated danger of violent plots. The psalmist remains confident that God’s justice prevails even when human schemes seem to prosper for a time.
This verse anchors trust in God’s fixed nature and justice. It communicates that God is not indifferent to human evils like deceit and betrayal; He hears the cries of the faithful and administers correction to the wicked. The reference to “no changes” contrasts with God’s immutability—God is not swayed by shifting loyalties or political expediency. The Selah invites reflective pause, underscoring that divine justice is often deep, not immediate. Theologically, the verse reinforces a retributive dimension of God’s character: He will afflict those who persist in harm or hypocrisy. It also centers the believer’s response to oppression as one of hopeful trust rather than vengeance.
When you feel the ground shift under betrayal or manipulation, take heart: God hears. Practical steps: keep a calm, honest record of events; pray for justice that God’s way may be done; and resist the impulse to repay evil with evil. In situations where those who seem secure are unfaithful, cling to God’s unchanging nature. If you see others prospering through deceit, resist cynicism—entrust judgment to God while you pursue integrity. Selah moments—pause and reflect on God’s character and past faithfulness. This verse can encourage you to set boundaries that reflect God’s justice (truth-telling, fairness) while extending mercy where appropriate. The core wisdom is that ultimate justice rests with God, not with us, and that His faithful listening will lead to rightful outcomes in His perfect timing.
Cross-References: Psalm 4:1; Psalm 9:16; Psalm 73:2-3; Isaiah 26:8; James 5:7-8