Psalms 55
1 For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments: an instruction. Of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hearken to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
Attend unto me, and answer me: I wander about in my plaint, and I moan aloud,
3 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.
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.
4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
My heart is writhing within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
Fear and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away, and be at rest;
7 Lo! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
Behold, I would flee afar off, I would lodge in the wilderness; (Selah)
8 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
I would hasten my escape from the stormy wind, from the tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
Swallow [them] up, Lord; divide their tongue: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; and iniquity and mischief are in the midst of it.
11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
Perversities are in the midst thereof; and oppression and deceit depart not from its streets.
12 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.
For it is not an enemy that hath reproached me — then could I have borne it; neither is it he that hateth me that hath magnified [himself] against me — then would I have hidden myself from him;
13 But thou, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
But it was thou, a man mine equal, mine intimate, my familiar friend. ...
14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
We who held sweet intercourse together. To the house of God we walked amid the throng.
15 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)
Let death seize upon them, let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwellings, in their midst. (Sheol h7585)
16 I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me.
As for me, unto God will I call; and Jehovah will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and moan aloud; and he will hear my voice.
18 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle against me: for there were many about me.
19 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.
God will hear, and afflict them: he that is seated of old, (Selah) ...because there is no change in them, and they fear not God.
20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
He hath put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him; he hath profaned his covenant.
21 They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
Smooth were the milky [words] of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in thee, O Lord.
And thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. But as for me, I will confide in thee.
