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.
God, listen to my prayer, and do not turn away from me while I am pleading with you.
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
Listen to me, and answer me, because I am overwhelmed by [all] my troubles.
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.
My enemies cause me to be terrified; wicked people oppress me. They cause me to have great troubles; they are angry with me, and they hate me.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
I am terrified, and I am very much afraid that I will die.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
I am very fearful and I tremble/shake, and I am completely terrified.
6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
I said, “I wish that I had wings like a dove! If I had wings, I would fly away and find a place to rest.
7 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
I would fly far away and live in the desert.
8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
I would quickly find a shelter from [my enemies] [who are like] [MET] a strong wind and rainstorm.”
9 Confuse them, YHWH, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Lord, confuse my enemies, and cause their plans to fail, because I see them acting violently and causing strife in the city [of Jerusalem].
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
During [each] day and night they march around on top of its walls, committing crimes and causing trouble.
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
They destroy [things] everywhere. They oppress and defraud [people] in the (marketplaces/public squares).
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.
If it were an enemy who was making fun of me, I could endure it. If it were someone who hates me, who despises me, I could hide from him.
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But it is someone who is just like me, my companion, someone who was my friend [who is doing this to me].
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
We previously had many good talks together; we walked around together in God’s temple.
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)
I desire/hope that my enemies will die suddenly; while they are still young, cause them to go down to the place where the dead people are. They they think evil things. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. YHWH will save me.
But I [will] ask Yahweh, [my] God, to help me, and he will save me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
[Each] morning and [each] noontime and [each] evening I tell him what I am concerned about, and I moan, and he hears my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
I have [very] many enemies, but he will rescue me and bring me back safely from the battles that I fight.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.
God is the one who has ruled everything forever, and he will listen to me. He will cause my enemies to be [defeated and] disgraced, because they do not change their evil behavior and they do not revere God.
20 He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
My companion, [whom I mentioned previously], betrayed his friends and broke the agreement that he made with 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 said was [easy to listen to, like] butter [is easy to swallow] [MET], but in his inner being he hated people; his words were [soothing] like [olive] oil, [but they hurt people like] sharp swords do [MET].
22 Throw your burden upon YHWH, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
Put your troubles in Yahweh’s hands, and he will take care of you; he will never allow righteous [people] to experience disasters.
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.
God, you will cause murderers [MTY] and liars to die before they have lived half as long as they expect to live; but [as for me], I will trust in you.
