Psalms 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not yourself 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 Attend to me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity on me, and in wrath they 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 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen on me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come on me, and horror has overwhelmed 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 dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 See, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. (Selah)
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it on the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the middle of it.
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 Wickedness is in the middle thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself 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 you, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.
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 seize on them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among 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 As for me, I will call on God; and the LORD shall save me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that stays of old. (Selah) Because they have no changes, therefore they fear 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 He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant.
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 words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
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 your burden on the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
23 But you, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.
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.
