Psalms 55
1 To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David to give instruction. Heare my prayer, O God, and hide not thy selfe from my supplication.
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 Hearken vnto me, and answere me: I mourne in my prayer, and make a noyse,
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 For the voyce of the enemie, and for the vexation of ye wicked, because they haue brought iniquitie vpon me, and furiously hate me.
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 Mine heart trembleth within mee, and the terrours of death are fallen vpon me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me.
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a doue: then would I flie away and rest.
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 Beholde, I woulde take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wildernes. (Selah)
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 Hee would make haste for my deliuerance from the stormie winde and tempest.
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and deuide their tongues: for I haue seene crueltie and strife in the citie.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they goe about it vpon the walles thereof: both iniquitie and mischiefe are in the middes of it.
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 Wickednes is in the middes thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streetes.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 Surely mine enemie did not defame mee: for I could haue borne it: neither did mine aduersarie exalt himselfe against mee: for I would haue hid me from him.
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 was thou, O man, euen my companion, my guide and my familiar:
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 Which delited in consulting together, and went into the House of God as companions.
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 sense vpon them: let them goe downe quicke into the graue: for wickednes is in their dwellings, euen in the middes of them. (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 will call vnto God, and the Lord will saue me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Euening and morning, and at noone will I pray, and make a noyse, and he wil heare my voice.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He hath deliuered my soule in peace from the battel, that was against me: for many were with me.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 God shall heare and afflict them, euen hee that reigneth of olde, (Selah) because they haue no changes, therefore they feare not 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 Hee layed his hande vpon such, as be at peace with him, and he brake his couenant.
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 The wordes of his mouth were softer then butter, yet warre was in his heart: his words were more gentle then oyle, yet they were swordes.
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 thy burden vpon the Lord, and hee shall nourish thee: he wil not suffer the righteous to fall for euer.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
23 And thou, O God, shalt bring them downe into the pitte of corruption: the bloudie, and deceitfull men shall not liue halfe their dayes: but I will trust in thee.
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.
