Psalms 55

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.

[For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.] Listen to my prayer, God. Do not hide yourself from my petition.

2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

3 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.

4 My heart is greatly pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

7 Lo, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness. (Selah)

Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)

8 I would hasten myself to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.

"I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."

9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongue, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Confuse them, YHWH, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go about it, upon the walls of it. Iniquity and mischief also are in the midst of it.

Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.

11 Wickedness is in the midst of it. Oppression and deceit depart not from its streets.

Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.

12 For it was not an enemy who reproached me. Then I could have borne it. Neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him.

For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hid myself from him.

13 But it was thou, a man my equal, my companion, and my familiar friend.

But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.

14 We took sweet counsel together. We walked in the house of God with the throng.

We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.

15 Let death come suddenly upon them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)

Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)

16 As for me, I will call upon God, and Jehovah will save me.

As for me, I will call on God. YHWH will save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday, I will complain and moan. And he will hear my voice.

Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many by me.

He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.

19 God will hear, and respond to them, (even he who abides of old), (Selah) men who have no changes, and who fear not God.

God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him. He has profaned his covenant.

He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.

21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 (Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee. He will never allow the righteous man to be moved.)

Throw your burden upon YHWH, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.

23 But thou, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee.

But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.