Psalmorum 55
1 Psalmus, in finem, In hymnis intellectus David. Exaudi Deus orationem meam, et ne despexeris deprecationem meam:
For the music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!
2 intende mihi, et exaudi me. Contristatus sum in exercitatione mea: et conturbatus sum
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 a voce inimici, et a tribulatione peccatoris. Quoniam declinaverunt in me iniquitates, et in ira molesti erant mihi.
For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.
4 Cor meum conturbatum est in me: et formido mortis cecidit super me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Timor et tremor venerunt super me: et contexerunt me tenebrae:
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 Et dixi: Quis dabit mihi pennas sicut columbae, et volabo, et requiescam?
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 Ecce elongavi fugiens: et mansi in solitudine.
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 Expectabam eum, qui salvum me fecit a pusillanimitate spiritus, et tempestate.
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Praecipita Domine, divide linguas eorum: quoniam vidi iniquitatem, et contradictionem in civitate.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Die ac nocte circumdabit eam super muros eius iniquitas: et labor in medio eius,
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 et iniustitia. Et non defecit de plateis eius usura et dolus.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 Quoniam si inimicus meus maledixisset mihi, sustinuissem utique. Et si is, qui oderat me, super me magna locutus fuisset: abscondissem me forsitan ab eo.
The problem is that it's not an enemy who mocks me—I could stand that. It's not someone who hates me who insults me—I could avoid them.
13 Tu vero homo unanimis: dux meus, et notus meus:
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 Qui simul mecum dulces capiebas cibos: in domo Dei ambulavimus cum consensu.
Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
15 Veniat mors super illos: et descendant in infernum viventes: Quoniam nequitiae in habitaculis eorum: in medio eorum. (Sheol h7585)
May death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them. (Sheol h7585)
16 Ego autem ad Deum clamavi: et Dominus salvabit me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Vespere, et mane, et meridie narrabo et annunciabo: et exaudiet vocem meam.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 Redimet in pace animam meam ab his, qui appropinquant mihi: quoniam inter multos erant mecum.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 Exaudiet Deus, et humiliabit illos, qui est ante saecula. Non enim est illis commutatio, et non timuerunt Deum:
God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. (Selah) For they refuse to change and don't respect God.
20 extendit manum suam in retribuendo. Contaminaverunt testamentum eius,
As for my best friend, he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.
21 divisi sunt ab ira vultus eius: et appropinquavit cor illius. Molliti sunt sermones eius super oleum: et ipsi sunt iacula.
What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
22 Iacta super Dominum curam tuam, et ipse te enutriet: non dabit in aeternum fluctuationem iusto.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
23 Tu vero Deus deduces eos, in puteum interitus. Viri sanguinum, et dolosi non dimidiabunt dies suos: ego autem sperabo in te Domine.
But you, God, will bring down murderers and liars, throwing them into the pit of destruction before they have even lived half their lives. As for me, I will trust in you.
