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 music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
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.
For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Confuse them, YHWH, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the 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.
The problem is that it's not an enemy who mocks me—I could stand that. It's not someone who hates me who insults me—I could avoid them.
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
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 death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. YHWH will save me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.
God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. (Selah) For they refuse to change and don't respect God.
20 He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
As for my best friend, he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
22 Throw your burden upon YHWH, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right 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.
But you, God, will bring down murderers and liars, throwing them into the pit of destruction before they have even lived half their lives. As for me, I will trust in you.
