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 Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Hearken vnto me, and answere me: I mourne in my prayer, and make a noyse,
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
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.
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 Mine heart trembleth within mee, and the terrours of death are fallen vpon me.
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a doue: then would I flie away and rest.
I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Beholde, I woulde take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wildernes. (Selah)
Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
8 Hee would make haste for my deliuerance from the stormie winde and tempest.
“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, and deuide their tongues: for I haue seene crueltie and strife in the citie.
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife 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.
Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 Wickednes is in the middes thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streetes.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her 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.
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 it was thou, O man, euen my companion, my guide and my familiar:
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 Which delited in consulting together, and went into the House of God as companions.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
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)
Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)
16 But I will call vnto God, and the Lord will saue me.
As for me, I will call on God. 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.
Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 He hath deliuered my soule in peace from the battel, that was against me: for many were with me.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose 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 is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.
20 Hee layed his hande vpon such, as be at peace with him, and he brake his couenant.
He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
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.
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden vpon the Lord, and hee shall nourish thee: he wil not suffer the righteous to fall for euer.
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
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 them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
