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 chief Musician. On stringed instruments: an instruction. Of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and 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 answer me: I wander about in my plaint, and I moan aloud,
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 the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart is writhing within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling are come upon 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.
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away, and be at rest;
7 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
Behold, I would flee afar off, I would lodge in the wilderness; (Selah)
8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
I would hasten my escape from the stormy wind, from the tempest.
9 Confuse them, YHWH, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Swallow [them] up, Lord; divide their tongue: for I have seen 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 they go about it upon the walls thereof; and iniquity and mischief are in the midst of it.
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
Perversities are in the midst thereof; and oppression and deceit 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.
For it is not an enemy that hath reproached me — then could I have borne it; neither is it he that hateth me that hath magnified [himself] against me — then would I have hidden myself from him;
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But it was thou, a man mine equal, mine intimate, my familiar friend. ...
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
We who held sweet intercourse together. To the house of God we walked amid the throng.
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)
Let death seize upon them, let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwellings, in their midst. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. YHWH will save me.
As for me, unto God will I call; and Jehovah will save me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and moan aloud; 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 hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle against me: for there were many about me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.
God will hear, and afflict them: he that is seated of old, (Selah) ...because there is no change in them, and they 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 put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him; he hath profaned 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.
Smooth were the milky [words] of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.
22 Throw your burden upon YHWH, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
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, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. But as for me, I will confide in thee.
