Psalms 55
1 For the end, amongst Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
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 bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.
4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has 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.
I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
Behold, then I would wander far 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 hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, 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 prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her 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 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 hidden myself from him.
13 But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
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 come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)
16 I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh 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, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose 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, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.
20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
21 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.
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
23 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.
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.
