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 end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
2 Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught
Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
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.
because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.
4 My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
5 Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7 How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain.
Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
8 I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
9 O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
10 Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.
Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;
11 Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
and usury and craft have not failed from its 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.
For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
14 We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
15 Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
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 shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. (Pause) For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God.
20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
21 His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew near them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
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, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in you, O Lord.
