Psalms 55

1 [For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.] Listen to my prayer, God. Do not hide yourself from my petition.

For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, God; and do not hide yourself from my plea.

2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

Pay attention to me and answer me; I have no rest in my troubles

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.

because of the voice of my enemies, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring trouble on me and persecute me in anger.

4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

My heart trembles within me, and the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove. Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

I said, “Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away and be at rest.

7 Look, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." (Selah)

See, then I would wander far away; I would stay in the wilderness. (Selah)

8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."

I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.”

9 Confuse them, LORD, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Devour them, Lord, confuse their language! For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.

Day and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in the middle of it.

11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.

Wickedness is in the middle of it; oppression and deceit do not leave 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 hid myself from him.

For it was not an enemy who rebuked me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.

13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.

But it was you, a man equal to myself, my companion and my close friend.

14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.

We had sweet fellowship together; we walked in the house of God with the throng.

15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)

Let death come suddenly on them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for wickedness is where they live, right among them. (Sheol h7585)

16 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.

As for me, I will call on God, and Yahweh will save me.

17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

In the evening, morning and at noonday I complain and moan; he will 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 will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me, for those who fought against me were many.

19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and humble them. (Selah) They never change, who do not fear God.

God, the one who rules from eternity, will hear them and humiliate them. (Selah) They never change, and they do not fear God.

20 He has stretched out his hand against those who were at peace with him. He has violated his covenant.

My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has not respected the covenant that he had.

21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was hostile; his words were softer than oil, yet they were actually drawn swords.

22 Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never allow the righteous to be upended.

Place your burdens on Yahweh, and he will sustain you; he will never allow a righteous person to totter.

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 you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live even half as long as others, but I will trust in you.