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.

Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

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

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 the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

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

My heart is greatly pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

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

Fearfulness and trembling have come upon 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.

And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

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

Lo, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness. (Selah)

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

I would hasten myself 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.

Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongue, 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 it, upon the walls of it. Iniquity and mischief also are in the midst of it.

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

Wickedness is in the midst of it. Oppression and deceit depart not from 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 hidden myself from him.

For it was not an enemy who reproached me. Then I could have borne it. Neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him.

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

But it was thou, a man my equal, my companion, and my familiar friend.

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

We took sweet counsel 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 among them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)

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

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

As for me, I will call upon God, and Jehovah will save me.

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

Evening, and morning, and at noonday, I will complain and moan. And 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 has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many by me.

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

God will hear, and respond to them, (even he who abides of old), (Selah) men who have no changes, and who fear not God.

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

He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him. He has profaned his covenant.

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 war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

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

(Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee. He will never allow the righteous man to be moved.)

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 thou, O 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 thee.