Psalms 55
1 For the music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
2 Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught
3 For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.
at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger.
4 My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
5 I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
7 I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain.
8 I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
9 Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.
11 The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
12 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.
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
13 No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
14 Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
15 May death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them. (Sheol h7585)
Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17 I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
18 He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
19 God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. (Selah) For they refuse to change and don't respect God.
God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— (Selah) because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
20 As for my best friend, he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
21 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.
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
22 Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
23 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.
But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
