Psalms 55
1 For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.
For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, God; and do not hide yourself from my plea.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;
Pay attention to me and answer me; I have no rest in my troubles
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they persecute me.
because of the voice of my enemies, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring trouble on me and persecute me in anger.
4 My heart doth writhe within me; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
My heart trembles within me, and the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! then would I fly away, and be at rest.
I said, “Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. (Selah)
See, then I would wander far away; I would stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I would haste me to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.'
I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Devour them, Lord, confuse their language! For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.
Day and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in the middle of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof; oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.
Wickedness is in the middle of it; oppression and deceit do not leave its streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that taunted me, then I could have borne it; neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him.
For it was not an enemy who rebuked me, then I could have borne 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, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend;
But it was you, a man equal to myself, my companion and my close friend.
14 We took sweet counsel together, in the house of God we walked with the throng.
We had sweet fellowship together; we walked in the house of God with the throng.
15 May He incite death against them, let them go down alive into the nether-world; for evil is in their dwelling, and within them. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come suddenly on them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for wickedness is where they live, right among them. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
As for me, I will call on God, and Yahweh will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He hath heard my voice.
In the evening, morning and at noonday I complain and moan; he will hear my voice.
18 He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; for they were many that strove with me.
He will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me, for those who fought against me were many.
19 God shall hear, and humble them, even He that is enthroned of old, (Selah) such as have no changes, and fear not God.
God, the one who rules from eternity, will hear them and humiliate them. (Selah) They never change, and they do not fear God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; he hath profaned his covenant.
My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has not respected the covenant that he had.
21 Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet were they keen-edged swords.
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was hostile; his words were softer than oil, yet they were actually drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Place your burdens on Yahweh, and he will sustain you; he will never allow a righteous person to totter.
23 But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; but as for me, I will trust in Thee.
But you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live even half as long as others, but I will trust in you.
