Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:13
But [it was] thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
13. Mine equal in rank and position; my associate or companion (as in Pro 16:28, chief friends; Mic 7:5, where R.V. marg. familiar friend is right); my close acquaintance or familiar friend (Psa 31:11). Cp. Jer 9:4 f.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But it was thou, a man mine equal – Margin, a man according to my rank. Septuagint, isopsuche, equal-souled, like-souled, second self (Thompson); Vulgate, unanimus, of the same mind; Luther, Geselle, companion. The Hebrew word used here – erek – means properly a row or pile, as of the showbread piled one loaf on another, Exo 40:23; then it would naturally mean one of the same row or pile; of the same rank or condition. The word also means price, estimation, or value, Job 28:13; Lev 5:15, Lev 5:18; Lev 6:6. Here the expression may mean a man according to my estimation, value, or price; that is, of the same value as myself (Gesenius, Lexicon); or more probably it means a man of my own rank; according to my condition; that is, a man whom I esteemed as my equal, or whom I regarded and treated as a friend.
My guide – The word used here properly denotes one who is familiar – a friend – from the verb ‘alaph – to be associated with; to be familiar; to be accustomed to. The noun is frequently used to denote a military leader – the head of a tribe – a chieftain; and is, in this sense, several times employed in Gen. 36 to denote the leaders or princes of the Edomites, where it is rendered duke. But here it seems to be used, not in the sense of a leader or a guide, but of a familiar friend.
And mine acquaintance – The word used here is derived from the verb to know – yada – and the proper idea is that of one well known by us; that is, one who keeps no secrets from us, but who permits us to understand him thoroughly. The phrase mine acquaintance is a feeble expression, and does not convey the full force of the original, which denotes a more intimate friend than would be suggested by the word acquaintance. It is language applied to one whom we thoroughly know, and who knows us; and this exists only in the case of very intimate friends. All the expressions used in this verse would probably be applicable to Ahithophel, and to the intimacy between him and David.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Mine equal; not in power and dignity, which could not be, but in reputation for his deep wisdom and excellent conduct, and the great influence which he had upon me, and upon all my people.
My guide; whose counsel I highly prized, and constantly sought and followed: all which agrees very well to Ahithophel. See 2Sa 15:12,31; 16:23.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. guideliterally, “friend”(Pro 16:28; Pro 17:9).
acquaintancein Hebrew,a yet more intimate associate.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But [it was] thou,…. The Targum is, “but thou Ahithophel”; of whom the words are literally to be understood, and so they are in the Talmud u; and mystically and typically of Judas;
a man mine equal; “a man”, and not a beast, nor a devil; but a man, from whom humanity, kindness, and tenderness might have been expected; though both Ahithophel and Judas acted the part of a devil; and the latter is expressly called one, Joh 6:70; “mine equal”; or like unto me; as the Targum. Ahithophel was not equal to David in dignity, as the king of Israel; nor in gifts, as the sweet psalmist of Israel; nor in grace as he; but as a man, a mortal dying man: kings and subjects are of the same blood, equally liable to death, and in the grave will be manifestly on a level: or rather the sense is, that he was in his esteem and affliction as himself; he was his friend that he loved as his own soul: so Judas could not be in every sense equal to Christ who is Jehovah’s fellow, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God. Indeed as a man he was like unto him; a frail, mortal man, though not sinless as Christ. The word may be rendered “according to my appointment” w, ordination, or constitution; Judas being a man appointed and ordained to be an apostle of Christ with the rest: or, “according to my esteem” x; being had in great esteem and familiarity with Christ: or, “according to my order” y, rank and class; being taken into his family, admitted to his table, where be sat down and ate with him, as if he was his equal;
my guide: or “governor” z. Ahithophel was not governor over David; but was made a governor by him: he was one of his dukes or nobles, as the word is rendered in Ge 36:15, was raised to great dignity by him; perhaps was chief minister of state: it is certain he was his counsellor, and his counsel was with him as the oracle of God,
1Ch 27:33; he was his guide in civil affairs; he was directed by his advice, and it may be was president of his privy council. Judas was not only the guide of them to Christ who took him, Ac 1:16; but when the apostles were sent out two by two before the face of Christ, to preach where he himself should come, Judas was sent also, Mr 6:7;
and mine acquaintance: one well known to him, as Ahithophel was to David, and Judas to Christ, his friend and companion, in whom he confided, and who ate of his bread; and all these characters are so many aggravations of his treachery and wickedness.
u T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 106. 2. Pirke Abot, c. 6. s. 3. w “Secundum dispositionem, sc. ordinationem et constitutionem meam”, Calvinus in Michaelis. x “Juxta estimationem meam”, Vatablus, Gejerus, Michaelis; “qui par mihi estimatus est”, Piscator. y “Secundum ordinem meum”, Mollerus. z “dux meus”, Pagninus, Tigurine version, Junius Tremellius, Piscator “princeps meus”, Cocceius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(13) But it was . . .Better, But thou art a man of my own standing. The word erek is used (Exo. 40:23) of the row of loaves constituting the shewbread, and the cognate verb means to arrange. Here it may denote rank, but more probably the expression is man of my assessment, and so of the same importance in society. (Comp. Lev. 5:15; 2Ki. 12:4.) The LXX. and Vulgate have of one soul with me. Symmachus, of like disposition. This sense may be implied, though not expressed in the Hebrew.
Guide.So the old versions: the Hebrew word does denote the head of a tribe or family (Gen. 36:15, &c, duke), but that meaning seems excluded here by the previous description. Render, companion.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. A man mine equal A man of my rank.
Guide A word indicating at once his princely rank and his familiar friendship with the king.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 55:13 But [it was] thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Ver. 13. But it was thou, a man mine equal ] Heb. according to my rank, my compeer, my colleague, mine Alter-ego, my bosom friend, one that stood even with me, and upon the same ground, as it were.
My guide
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a man = a mortal. Hebrew. ‘enosh. App-14.
mine equal = as mine equal: i.e. esteemed by David as such; refers to Ahithophel.
My guide: or counselor. Compare 2Sa 16:23 and Act 1:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a man mine equal: Heb. a man according to my rank
my guide: 2Sa 15:12, 2Sa 16:23, Jer 9:4, Mic 7:5
mine acquaintance: Joh 19:13, Mat 26:47-50, Mar 14:44, Mar 14:45, Luk 22:21, Luk 22:47, Luk 22:48
Reciprocal: Jdg 14:20 – his friend 1Ch 27:33 – companion Psa 62:9 – of high Jer 20:10 – All my familiars Oba 1:7 – the men of Mat 10:36 – General Mat 26:50 – Friend Mar 14:18 – One Joh 6:71 – being Phi 2:20 – I have
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
55:13 But [it was] thou, a man mine {k} equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
(k) Who was not only joined to me in friendship and counsel in worldly matters, but also in religion.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
David addressed his former friend. Not only had he and David been good friends, they had also shared their deepest commitments in life, as worshipping together indicates.