Psalms 55

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not yourself 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 Attend to me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

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 is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen on me.

My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly 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 See, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. (Selah)

Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)

8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm 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 violence and strife in the city.

Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife 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.

Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.

11 Wickedness is in the middle thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her 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:

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 you, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.

But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.

We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.

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)

Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is amongst them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)

16 As for me, I will call on God; and the LORD shall save me.

As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many 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 hear, and afflict them, even he that stays of old. (Selah) Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant.

He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.

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.

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 burden on the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

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 them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.