Psalms 55
1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
For the music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!
2 Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger.
For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.
4 My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain.
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
The problem is that it's not an enemy who mocks me—I could stand that. It's not someone who hates me who insults me—I could avoid them.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
15 Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. (Sheol h7585)
May death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them. (Sheol h7585)
16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— (Selah) because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. (Selah) For they refuse to change and don't respect God.
20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
As for my best friend, he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.
21 His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
23 But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
But you, God, will bring down murderers and liars, throwing them into the pit of destruction before they have even lived half their lives. As for me, I will trust in you.
