Psalms 55:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 55:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.
Psalms 55:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 55

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest.] Of an army of rebellious subjects, bearing down all before them, and threatening with utter ruin and destruction; so a powerful army of enemies invading a country is signified by a storm and tempest, (<232802>Isaiah 28:2 32:2); and may be expressive of the storm and tempest of divine wrath and vengeance the sensible sinner hastens his escape from by fleeing to Christ; and of the blowing and furious winds of persecution, which the church, Christ’s dove, flees from, by getting into the clefts of the rock, and the secret places of the stairs, (<220214>Song of Solomon 2:14); and of the storms of divine wrath and justice that fell upon…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I would hasten my escape - I would make haste to secure an escape. I would not delay, but I would flee at once. From the windy storm and tempest - From the calamities which have come upon me, and which beat upon me like a violent tempest. If this psalm was composed on occasion of the rebellion of Absalom, it is easy to see with what propriety tiffs language is used. The troubles connected with that unnatural rebellion had burst upon him with the fury of a sudden storm, and threatened to sweep everything away. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Tempest - From the force and fury of mine enemies. Psalms 55:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the windy storm: From the sweeping wind and tempest, - Absalom and his rebellious party. Psa 18:4; Isa 17:12, Isa 17:13; Mat 7:25-27 Psalms 55:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification