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 choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
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 distraught
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.
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 is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling grip 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, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain.
8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, 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.
Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the 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 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 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
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 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 will call on God. Yahweh will save me.
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears 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 redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose 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 humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— (Selah) because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
My companion attacks his friends; he violates 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 speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
22 Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
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 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, 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.
