Psalms 55
1 For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
“For the leader of the music. To be sung on stringed instruments. A psalm of David.” Give ear to my prayer, O God! Hide not thyself from my supplication!
2 Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
Attend unto me, and hear me! I wander about mourning and wailing,
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.
On account of the clamors of the enemy, On account of the violence of the wicked. For they bring evil upon me, And in wrath set themselves against me.
4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
My heart trembleth in my bosom, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
Fear and trembling have seized me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
Then I say, O that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
Behold, I would wander far away, And take up my abode in a wilderness. (Pause)
8 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
I would hasten away to a shelter From the rushing wind and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
Confound, O Lord! divide their counsels! For I behold violence and strife 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 do these go about its walls; In the midst of it are iniquity and mischief.
11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
Wickedness is in the midst of it; Oppression and fraud depart not 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.
It was not an enemy that reviled me, Then I could have borne it; Nor one that hated me, who rose up against me; From him I could have hid myself.
13 But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
But it was thou, a man my equal, My friend, and my acquaintance.
14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
We held sweet converse together, And walked to the house of God in company.
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)
May sudden death seize upon them! May they go down to the underworld alive! For wickedness is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
16 I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
As for me, I will call upon God, And Jehovah will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
At evening, at morn, and at noon I mourn and sigh, And he will hear 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 deliver me in peace from my conflict; For many have risen up against 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 me, and bring them down, —He that hath been judge of old. (Pause) Because they have no changes, Therefore they fear not God.
20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
They lift up their hands against their friend, And break their covenant with him.
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.
Their speech was softer than butter, But war was in their heart; Their words were smoother than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to fall!”
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.
Yea, thou, O God! wilt bring them down into the lowest pit! Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee!
