Psalms 55
1 To the Chief Musician: with stringed Instruments. A Psalm of Instruction, of David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer, And do not hide thyself from my supplication:
[For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.] Listen to my prayer, God. Do not hide yourself from my petition.
2 Attend unto me, and answer me, I may ramble in my complaining, And be driven to and fro—
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
3 Because of the noise of the enemy, By reason of the oppression of the lawless one, For they would let trouble drop upon me, And, in anger, would they entrap me.
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.
4 My heart, would writhe within me, And, the terrors of Death, have fallen upon me:
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling, would enter me, And there would have overwhelmed me—a horror!
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 Then I said—Oh that there were given me a pinion, like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest:
I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo! I would take a distant flight, I would tarry in the wilderness. (Selah)
Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)
8 I would hasten mine escape, From rushing wind, from storm.
"I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
9 Confuse, O My Lord, divide their speech, For I have seen violence and contention in the city;
Confuse them, LORD, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night, they go round her, upon her walls, And, trouble and misery, are in her midst;
Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 Engulfing ruin, is in her midst, And there depart not from her broadway, oppression and deceit.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
12 For it is, not an enemy, that reproacheth me, Or I could bear it, —Not one that hath hated me, who, against me, hath magnified himself, Or I might hide myself from him;
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.
13 But it is, thou, a man esteemed as mine equal, mine associate, and mine acquaintance;
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 So that together have we been wont to find sweetness in counsel, In the house of God, used we to walk in the throng.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
15 Desolations on them! Let them go down into hades alive, For, wicked doings, are at home within them. (Sheol h7585)
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)
16 I, unto God, will cry, —And, Yahweh, will save me.
As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
17 At evening and morning and high noon, have I been wont to lament and complain, And he hath heard my voice!
Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 He hath completely redeemed my soul, out of the attack upon me, For, in multitudes, were they [in conflict] with me.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
19 GOD will hear, Yea He will humble them who aforetime sat [enthroned]. (Selah) With whom are no changings, Neither have they revered God.
God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.
20 He hath thrust forth his hands, against them he was wont to salute, he hath violated his covenant;
He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.
21 Smoother than curds, were [the words of] his mouth, But, war, was [in] his heart, —Softer his words than oil, Yet, they, were drawn swords!
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast upon Yahweh thy lot, and, he, will sustain thee: He will not suffer, to times age-abiding, the righteous one to be shaken.
Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.
23 But, thou, O God, wilt bring them down to the pit of destruction, Men of bloodshed and deceit, shall not live out half their days; But, I, will trust in thee.
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.
