Psalms 55

1 For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen, God, to my prayer. Don’t hide yourself from my pleading.

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

Hear me, and answer; for bitter is my lament.

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.

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

My heart shudders within me, terrors of deaths press on me,

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

fear and trembling attack me, and horror wraps me round.

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

O for the wings of a dove: I would fly away and rest.

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

I would wander far away, find refuge in the wilderness. (Selah)

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

I would find myself a shelter from raging wind and tempest.

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

Confuse them, Lord, upset their plans; for I see violence and strife in the city.

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

By day and by night they make their rounds on the city walls, while within is crime and trouble,

11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.

within is ruin. Her market-place is never free of deceit and tyranny.

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 hidden myself from him.

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

but it was you, my equal, my dear and familiar friend.

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

We used to be so close, together we walked in God’s house with the crowd.

15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is amongst them, in their dwelling. (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 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.

But I will call on God, the Lord will save me.

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

Evening and morning and noon I lament 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.

though I am attacked by many he will rescue me, unharmed from the war.

19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.

God, who sits on his ancient throne will hear and will humble them, for they never change, they never fear God. (Selah)

20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.

My friend turned against me, betrayed his word.

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 smoother than butter, but war filled his heart. His words were softer than oil, but sharper than swords.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.

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 hurl them down to the deepest pit. Bloody and treacherous people will not live out half their days; but I will trust you.