Psalmorum 55
1 in finem in carminibus intellectus David exaudi Deus orationem meam et ne despexeris deprecationem meam
For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen, God, to my prayer. Don’t hide yourself from my pleading.
2 intende mihi et exaudi me contristatus sum in exercitatione mea et conturbatus sum
Hear me, and answer; for bitter is my lament.
3 a voce inimici et a tribulatione peccatoris quoniam declinaverunt in me iniquitatem et in ira molesti erant mihi
I am wild with the noise of the foe, with the clamour of the ungodly; for they hurl disaster upon me, and attack me with fury.
4 cor meum conturbatum est in me et formido mortis cecidit super me
My heart shudders within me, terrors of deaths press on me,
5 timor et tremor venit super me et contexit me tenebra
fear and trembling attack me, and horror wraps me round.
6 et dixi quis dabit mihi pinnas sicut columbae et volabo et requiescam
O for the wings of a dove: I would fly away and rest.
7 ecce elongavi fugiens et mansi in solitudine diapsalma
I would wander far away, find refuge in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 expectabam eum qui salvum me fecit a pusillanimitate spiritus et a tempestate
I would find myself a shelter from raging wind and tempest.
9 praecipita Domine divide linguas eorum quoniam vidi iniquitatem et contradictionem in civitate
Confuse them, Lord, upset their plans; for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 die et nocte circumdabit eam super muros eius et iniquitas et labor in medio eius
By day and by night they make their rounds on the city walls, while within is crime and trouble,
11 et iniustitia et non defecit de plateis eius usura et dolus
within is ruin. Her market-place is never free of deceit and tyranny.
12 quoniam si inimicus maledixisset mihi sustinuissem utique et si is qui oderat me super me magna locutus fuisset abscondissem me forsitan ab eo
The taunts were not those of a foe that I could have borne; the disdain was not that of an enemy I could have shunned them:
13 tu vero homo unianimis dux meus et notus meus
but it was you, my equal, my dear and familiar friend.
14 qui simul mecum dulces capiebas cibos in domo Dei ambulavimus cum consensu
We used to be so close, together we walked in God’s house with the crowd.
15 veniat mors super illos et descendant in infernum viventes quoniam nequitiae in habitaculis eorum in medio eorum (Sheol h7585)
May death suddenly take them, may they go down to Sheol alive, for evil lives in their homes and their hearts. (Sheol h7585)
16 ego autem ad Deum clamavi et Dominus salvabit me
But I will call on God, the Lord will save me.
17 vespere et mane et meridie narrabo et adnuntiabo et exaudiet vocem meam
Evening and morning and noon I lament and moan. He will hear my voice;
18 redimet in pace animam meam ab his qui adpropinquant mihi quoniam inter multos erant mecum
though I am attacked by many he will rescue me, unharmed from the war.
19 exaudiet Deus et humiliabit illos qui est ante saecula diapsalma non enim est illis commutatio et non timuerunt Deum
God, who sits on his ancient throne will hear and will humble them, for they never change, they never fear God. (Selah)
20 extendit manum suam in retribuendo contaminaverunt testamentum eius
My friend turned against me, betrayed his word.
21 divisi sunt ab ira vultus eius et adpropinquavit cor illius molliti sunt sermones eius super oleum et ipsi sunt iacula
His mouth was smoother than butter, but war filled his heart. His words were softer than oil, but sharper than swords.
22 iacta super Dominum curam tuam et ipse te enutriet non dabit in aeternum fluctuationem iusto
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.
23 tu vero Deus deduces eos in puteum interitus viri sanguinum et doli non dimidiabunt dies suos ego autem sperabo in te Domine
But you, God, will hurl them down to the deepest pit. Bloody and treacherous people will not live out half their days; but I will trust you.
