Psalms 55
1 `In Ebreu thus, To victorie in orguns, the lernyng of Dauid. `In Jeroms translacioun thus, To the ouercomer in salmes of Dauid lernid. God, here thou my preier, and dispise thou not my biseching;
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Do not hide yourself from my supplication.
2 yyue thou tent to me, and here thou me. I am sorewful in myn exercising; and Y am disturblid of the face of the enemye,
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
3 and of the tribulacioun of the synner. For thei bowiden wickidnessis in to me; and in ire thei weren diseseful to 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 Myn herte was disturblid in me; and the drede of deth felde on me.
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Drede and trembling camen on me; and derknessis hiliden me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And Y seide, Who schal yyue to me fetheris, as of a culuer; and Y schal fle, and schal take rest?
I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo! Y yede fer awei, and fledde; and Y dwellide in wildirnesse.
Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
8 I abood hym, that made me saaf fro the litilnesse, `ether drede, of spirit; and fro tempest.
“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Lord, caste thou doun, departe thou the tungis of hem; for Y siy wickidnesse and ayenseiyng in the citee.
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Bi dai and nyyt wickidnesse schal cumpasse it on the wallis therof;
Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 and trauel and vnriytfulnesse ben in the myddis therof. And vsure and gile failide not; fro the stretis therof.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
12 For if myn enemye hadde cursid me; sotheli Y hadde suffride. And if he, that hatide me, hadde spoke greet thingis on me; in hap Y hadde hid me fro hym.
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 thou art a man of o wille; my leeder, and my knowun.
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 Which tokist togidere swete meetis with me; we yeden with consent in the hous of God.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
15 Deth come on hem; and go thei doun quyk in to helle. For weiwardnessis ben in the dwelling places of hem; in the myddis of hem. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol (Sheol h7585). For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
16 But Y criede to thee, Lord; and the Lord sauede me.
As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
17 In the euentid and morewtid and in myddai Y schal telle, and schewe; and he schal here my vois.
Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 He schal ayenbie my soule in pees fro hem, that neiyen to me; for among manye thei weren 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 schal here; and he that is bifore the worldis schal make hem low. For chaungyng is not to hem, and thei dredden not God;
God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and do not fear God.
20 he holdith forth his hoond in yelding. Thei defouliden his testament,
He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
21 the cheris therof weren departid fro ire; and his herte neiyede. The wordis therof weren softer than oyle; and tho ben dartis.
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Caste thi cure on the Lord, and he schal fulli nurische thee; and he schal not yyue with outen ende flotering to a iust man.
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, God, schalt lede hem forth; in to the pit of deth. Menquelleris and gilours schulen not haue half her daies; but, Lord, Y schal hope 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.
