Psalms 55:20

He ¹  attacks ²  his friends; ³  he breaks his solemn promises to them. ⁴ 

1Sa 22:17; 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 2:4; 2Sa 5:3; 2Sa 14:32,33; 2Sa 15:10-12; 2Sa 18:12; Ps 7:4; Ps 89:28,34,38; Ps 109:5; Ps 120:6,7; Ec 8:2; Eze 17:16-19; Ac 12:1

¹ sn He. This must refer to the psalmist’s former friend, who was addressed previously in vv. 12-14.

² tn Heb “stretches out his hand against.”

³ tc The form should probably be emended to an active participle (שֹׁלְמָיו, sholÿmayv) from the verbal root שָׁלַם (shalam, “be in a covenant of peace with”). Perhaps the translation “his friends” suggests too intimate a relationship. Another option is to translate, “he attacks those who made agreements with him.”

⁴ tn Heb “he violates his covenant.”