Psalms 55
1 For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, God; and do not hide yourself from my plea.
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Pay attention to me and answer me; I have no rest in my troubles
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
3 because of the voice of my enemies, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring trouble on me and persecute me in anger.
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 trembles within me, and the terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! Then would I 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 See, then I would wander far away; I would stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
8 I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.”
“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Devour them, Lord, confuse their language! For I have seen violence and strife 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 about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in the middle of it.
Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 Wickedness is in the middle of it; oppression and deceit do not leave its streets.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy who rebuked me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden 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 hidden myself from him.
13 But it was you, a man equal to myself, my companion and my close friend.
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 We had sweet fellowship together; we walked in the house of God with the throng.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
15 Let death come suddenly on them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for wickedness is where they live, right among them. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is amongst them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God, and Yahweh will save me.
As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
17 In the evening, morning and at noonday I complain and moan; he will hear my voice.
Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 He will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me, for those who fought against me were many.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
19 God, the one who rules from eternity, will hear them and humiliate them. (Selah) They never change, and they do not fear God.
God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.
20 My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has not respected the covenant that he had.
He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was hostile; his words were softer than oil, yet they were actually 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 Place your burdens on Yahweh, and he will sustain you; he will never allow a righteous person to totter.
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
23 But you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live even half as long as others, but I will trust in you.
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.
