Psalms 55:15

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

Psalms 55:15 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 55 is a lament attributed to King David. In the verses just before this one, David describes the deep pain of betrayal by a close companion. That friend turned against him, spreading slander and causing division. This verse is David’s raw cry for God to act against those who have caused such harm.

Meaning

David asks that death seize his enemies and that they go down “quick” into hell. The word “quick” is an old English term meaning “alive.” So he prays for a sudden, catastrophic judgment. The Hebrew word for “hell” here is Sheol, the realm of the dead. This is not a final destination but the grave or place of the departed. The reason for this plea is clear: wickedness fills their dwellings and lives within them.

Biblical connections

Going down alive into the earth echoes the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16, when the ground opened and swallowed them. That event showed divine judgment executed suddenly and decisively. This verse also points forward to the final judgment that Christ will bring. The New Testament teaches that God will judge all wickedness righteously, and believers are called to leave vengeance to Him (Romans 12:19).

Application

This psalm models honest lament. David brings even his vengeful feelings to God in prayer. He does not take revenge himself but entrusts his cause to the Lord. For believers today, this is a pattern: we can pour out our pain and anger before God, trusting Him to act justly in His time. We are also warned to examine our own hearts and homes, so that wickedness does not take root in us.

Reflection

David’s words may seem harsh, but they show a real human struggle. God welcomes our honest cries. At the same time, we are called to love our enemies and pray for them, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44. We can trust that God, the righteous Judge, will set all things right.