Psalms 55
1 For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
Unto the end. In verses, the understanding of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and despise not my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
Be attentive to me, and heed me. I have been grieved in my training, and I have been disturbed
3 because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.
at the voice of the adversary and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have diverted iniquities toward me, and they have been harassing me with rage.
4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
My heart has become disturbed within me, and the dread of death has fallen over me.
5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
Fear and trembling have overwhelmed me, and darkness has buried me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
And I said, “Who will give me wings like the dove, so that I may fly away and take rest?”
7 Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
Behold, I have fled far away, and I linger in solitude.
8 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
I waited for him who saved me from a weak-minded spirit and from a tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
Cast them down, O Lord, and divide their tongues. For I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.
10 Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;
Day and night, iniquity will surround it upon its walls, and hardship is in its midst,
11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
with injustice. And usury and deceit have not fallen away from its streets.
12 For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.
For if my enemy had spoken evil about me, certainly, I would have sustained it. And if he who hated me had been speaking great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him.
13 But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
Truly, you are a man of one mind: my leader and my acquaintance,
14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
who took sweet food together with me. In the house of God, we walked side-by-side.
15 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come upon them, and let them descend alive into Hellfire. For there is wickedness in their dwellings, in their midst. (Sheol h7585)
16 I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
But I have cried out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
Evening and morning and midday, I will discourse and announce, and he will heed my voice.
18 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
He will redeem my soul in peace from those who draw near to me. For, among the many, they were with me.
19 God shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. (Pause) For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God.
God will hear, and He who is before time will humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God.
20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
He has stretched forth his hand in retribution. They have contaminated his covenant.
21 They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew near them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
They were divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart has drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and they are arrows.
22 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Cast your cares upon the Lord, and he will nurture you. He will not allow the just to be tossed about forever.
23 But you, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in you, O Lord.
Truly, O God, you will lead them away into the well of death. Bloody and deceitful men will not divide their days in half. But I will hope in you, O Lord.
