Psalms 55
1 God, listen to my prayer, and do not turn away from me while I am pleading with you.
For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
2 Listen to me, and answer me, because I am overwhelmed by [all] my troubles.
Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
3 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.
because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.
4 I am terrified, and I am very much afraid that I will die.
My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
5 I am very fearful and I tremble/shake, and I am completely terrified.
Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
6 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.
And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7 I would fly far away and live in the desert.
Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
8 I would quickly find a shelter from [my enemies] [who are like] [MET] a strong wind and rainstorm.”
I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
9 Lord, confuse my enemies, and cause their plans to fail, because I see them acting violently and causing strife in the city [of Jerusalem].
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
10 During [each] day and night they march around on top of its walls, committing crimes and causing trouble.
Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;
11 They destroy [things] everywhere. They oppress and defraud [people] in the (marketplaces/public squares).
and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
12 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.
For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.
13 But it is someone who is just like me, my companion, someone who was my friend [who is doing this to me].
But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
14 We previously had many good talks together; we walked around together in God’s temple.
who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
15 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)
Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
16 But I [will] ask Yahweh, [my] God, to help me, and he will save me.
I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
17 [Each] morning and [each] noontime and [each] evening I tell him what I am concerned about, and I moan, and he hears my voice.
Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
18 I have [very] many enemies, but he will rescue me and bring me back safely from the battles that I fight.
He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
19 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.
God shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. (Pause) For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God.
20 My companion, [whom I mentioned previously], betrayed his friends and broke the agreement that he made with them.
He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
21 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].
They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew near them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
22 Put your troubles in Yahweh’s hands, and he will take care of you; he will never allow righteous [people] to experience disasters.
Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 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.
But you, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in you, O Lord.
