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.
To the Overseer with stringed instruments. — An instruction, by David. Give ear, O God, [to] my prayer, And hide not from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
Attend to me, and answer me, I mourn in my (meditation) and make a noise,
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.
Because of the voice of an enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked, For they cause sorrow to move against me, And in anger they hate me.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart is pained within me, And terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling come in to me, And horror doth cover me.
6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
And I say, 'Who doth give to me a pinion as a dove? I fly away and rest,
7 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
Lo, I move far off, I lodge in a wilderness. (Selah)
8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
I hasten escape for myself, From a rushing wind, from a whirlwind.
9 Confuse them, Jehovah, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Swallow up, O Lord, divide their tongue, For I saw violence and strife in a city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
By day and by night they go round it, on its walls. Both iniquity and perverseness [are] in its midst,
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
Mischiefs [are] in its midst. Fraud and deceit depart not from its street.
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.
For an enemy reproacheth me not, or I bear [it], He who is hating me Hath not magnified himself against me, Or I hide from him.
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But thou, a man — as mine equal, My familiar friend, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
When together we sweeten counsel, Into the house of God we walk 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)
Desolations [are] upon them, They go down [to] Sheol — alive, For wickedness [is] in their dwelling, in their midst. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. Jehovah will save me.
I — to God I call, and Jehovah saveth me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
Evening, and morning, and noon, I meditate, and make a noise, and He heareth 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 hath ransomed in peace my soul From him who is near to me, For with the multitude they were with me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.
God doth hear and afflict them, And He sitteth of old. (Selah) Because they have no changes, and fear not God,
20 He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
He hath sent forth his hands against his well-wishers, He hath polluted his covenant.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Sweeter than honey hath been his mouth, And his heart [is] war! Softer have been his words than oil, And they [are] drawn [swords].
22 Throw your burden upon Jehovah, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
Cast on Jehovah that which He hath given thee, And He doth sustain thee, He doth not suffer for ever the moving of the righteous.
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.
And Thou, O God, dost bring them down To a pit of destruction, Men of blood and deceit reach not to half their days, And I — I do trust in Thee!
