Psalms 55
1 [For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.] Listen to my prayer, God. Do not hide yourself from my petition.
“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 answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
Attend unto me, and hear me! I wander about mourning and wailing,
3 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.
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 is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart trembleth in my bosom, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling have seized me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly 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 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
Behold, I would wander far away, And take up my abode in a wilderness. (Pause)
8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
I would hasten away to a shelter From the rushing wind and tempest.
9 Confuse them, LORD, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Confound, O Lord! divide their counsels! For I behold violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
Day and night do these go about its walls; In the midst of it are iniquity and mischief.
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
Wickedness is in the midst of it; Oppression and fraud depart not from its streets.
12 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 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 it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But it was thou, a man my equal, My friend, and my acquaintance.
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
We held sweet converse together, And walked to the house of God in company.
15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, 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 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
As for me, I will call upon God, And Jehovah will save me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
At evening, at morn, and at noon I mourn and sigh, And he will hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
He will deliver me in peace from my conflict; For many have risen up against me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear 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 stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
They lift up their hands against their friend, And break their covenant with him.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Their speech was softer than butter, But war was in their heart; Their words were smoother than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
22 Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to fall!”
23 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.
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!
