Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The striking part of this prayer isn't just David's request for destruction, but his specific plea for God to "divide their tongues." This isn't just about silencing them, but about causing their own communication and counsel to break down, echoing the confusion at Babel and foreshadowing how internal disunity would ultimately foil his enemies.
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist cries out to God in distress, witnessing rampant injustice and conflict within the city, likely Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. This verse marks a shift from lament to a fervent prayer for divine intervention, asking God to bring confusion and ruin to his enemies by dividing their counsels, just as He did at Babel. The prayer is rooted in the immediate reality of violence and strife that David sees, leading him to believe that divine judgment is imminent and necessary.
Ever feel like the whole world is against you, and the only answer is to call out to God? This verse captures that raw, desperate moment.
In Psalm 55:9, David doesn't just express sadness; he cries out for God's direct action. The words 'Destroy, O Lord' are a powerful plea, not born out of petty anger, but from a deep recognition that the situation is beyond human control. It's a prayer acknowledging God's ultimate authority to intervene when violence and strife have taken over.
This isn't about wishing harm for its own sake, but about seeking justice in a world where wickedness seems to prevail. David sees the 'violence and strife' and recognizes that only a divine power can truly dismantle such destructive forces. It's a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can bring our pleas directly to God, trusting in His power to act.
What happens when communication breaks down for the wicked? It's a divine strategy, not an accident.
The phrase 'divide their tongues' points to a specific way God deals with those who plot evil. It's an echo of the event at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), where God confused human languages to scatter the people and thwart their rebellious project. In Psalm 55:9, David prays for this same kind of divine disruption.
This means God can bring confusion and disunity to the plans of the ungodly. When people are united in violence and strife, God can cause their counsels to be divided, their agreements to crumble, and their schemes to fail. It's not just about people arguing; it's about God actively dismantling their unity and effectiveness in wickedness.
Ask a follow-up
What does it mean when the very place meant for peace and justice becomes a hub of violence?
David laments seeing 'violence and strife in the city.' The 'city' here, likely Jerusalem, was meant to be a place of order, justice, and God's presence. Its walls should have been a defense against chaos, but instead, they had become the very place where wickedness thrived.
This highlights a tragic reality: even centers of supposed righteousness can become corrupted. When injustice, deceit, and oppression become commonplace in a community—whether it's a literal city, a church, or even a family—it represents a profound spiritual decay. David's observation serves as a stark warning that the presence of God and the structures of justice are not immune to human sin, and that such corruption is a deep offense to God.
Understand the original words
’ădōnāy · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew title Adonai, indicating God’s sovereign authority, lordship, and master-status over all creation and individuals.
lāšôn · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word for "tongue," often representing speech, communication, or counsel. Dividing tongues suggests causing confusion or internal conflict among the wicked, preventing their evil schemes.
ḥāmās · Hebrew Noun
Physical force, injustice, or wrongful exploitation. Biblically, it describes the perversion of justice and the behavior of those who ignore God’s moral law.
rîḇ · Hebrew Noun
Contention, legal disputes, or quarrels. It refers to the breakdown of relational or civic harmony, often rooted in pride and rejection of God.
This prayer reflects David's desperate situation during Absalom's rebellion, highlighting how societal breakdown and betrayal can lead to intense pleas for divine intervention.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign in Jerusalem
David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a city meant to be a center of justice and worship.
c. 980 BC
Absalom's Rebellion Begins
David's son Absalom stirs up rebellion, gaining popularity and eventually forcing David to flee Jerusalem.
c. 980 BC
Ahithophel Joins Absalom
David's trusted advisor Ahithophel defects to Absalom, offering strategic counsel to the rebellion.
c. 980 BC— this verse
David Prays for Confusion
Learning of Ahithophel's betrayal and the violence within Jerusalem, David prays for God to confound the rebels' plans.
c. 980 BC
Ahithophel's Counsel Rejected
Absalom and his advisors reject Ahithophel's counsel to immediately pursue David, opting instead for a plan that leads to their downfall.
c. 980 BC
Ahithophel Hangs Himself
Realizing his counsel has been rejected and Absalom's cause is lost, Ahithophel goes home and commits suicide.
This verse directly alludes to the confusion of languages at Babel, highlighting the prayer for division and misunderstanding among the psalmist's enemies as a divine act of judgment.
2 Samuel 15:31This passage records David praying for Ahithophel's counsel to be turned into foolishness, which directly mirrors the 'divide their tongues' plea in Psalms 55:9, showing a specific historical fulfillment of this prayer.
Acts 23:7The division and strife among the Jewish council concerning Paul illustrates how the prayer for divided tongues can manifest in real-world disputes and the breakdown of unified opposition.
Luke 23:51The conflicting testimonies and the ultimate violent rejection of Jesus by the city leaders reflect the 'violence and strife' the psalmist saw, and the resulting division in their counsel against him.
gillPsalms 55:9: "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city."
Destroy, O Lord,.... Or "swallow up" (s), as Pharaoh and his host were swallowed up in the Red sea; or as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were swallowed up in the earth; so all the enemies of Christ and his church will be destroyed; and death, the last of them, will be swallowed up in victory, Isaiah 25:8 . The Targum interprets it, "destroy", or "scatter their counsel": but this seems to be in…
clarkePsalms 55:9: "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city."
Destroy, O lord - Swallow them up - confound them. Divide their tongues - Let his counsellors give opposite advice. Let them never agree, and let their devices be confounded. And the prayer was heard. Hushai and Ahithophel gave opposite counsel. Absalom followed that of Hushai; and Ahithophel, knowing that the steps advised by Hushai would bring Absalom's affairs to ruin, went and hanged h…
The striking part of this prayer isn't just David's request for destruction, but his specific plea for God to "divide their tongues." This isn't just about silencing them, but about causing their own communication and counsel to break down, echoing the confusion at Babel and foreshadowing how internal disunity would ultimately foil his enemies.
The Psalmist cries out to God in distress, witnessing rampant injustice and conflict within the city, likely Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. This verse marks a shift from lament to a fervent prayer for divine intervention, asking God to bring confusion and ruin to his enemies by dividing their counsels, just as He did at Babel. The prayer is rooted in the immediate reality of violence and strife that David sees, leading him to believe that divine judgment is imminent and necessary.
The Psalmist cries out to God in distress, witnessing rampant injustice and conflict within the city, likely Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. This verse marks a shift from lament to a fervent prayer for divine intervention, asking God to bring confusion and ruin to his enemies by dividing their counsels, just as He did at Babel. The prayer is rooted in the immediate reality of violence and strife that David sees, leading him to believe that divine judgment is imminent and necessary.
"Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city." — The striking part of this prayer isn't just David's request for destruction, but his specific plea for God to "divide their tongues." This isn't just about silencing them, but about causing their own…
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Last reviewed October 2026