Psalms 55
1 For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David. Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication:
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
Be attentive to me and hear me. I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled,
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.
At the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me.
6 I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?
7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.
8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm.
9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour,
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
And injustice. And usury and deceit have not departed from its 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 hidden myself from him.
For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it. And if he that hated me had spoken great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him.
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But thou a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar,
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
Who didst take sweetmeats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent.
15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
But I have cried 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.
Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.
God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God:
20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
He hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant,
21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
They are divided by the wrath Of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.
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 thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee, O Lord.
