Psalmorum 55
1 In finem, In carminibus intellectus David. Exaudi Deus orationem meam, et ne despexeris deprecationem meam:
For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen, God, to my prayer. Don’t hide yourself from my pleading.
2 intende mihi, et exaudi me. Contristatus sum in exercitatione mea: et conturbatus sum
Hear me, and answer; for bitter is my lament.
3 a voce inimici, et a tribulatione peccatoris. Quoniam declinaverunt in me iniquitates, et in ira molesti erant mihi.
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 Cor meum conturbatum est in me: et formido mortis cecidit super me.
My heart shudders within me, terrors of deaths press on me,
5 Timor et tremor venerunt super me: et contexerunt me tenebræ:
fear and trembling attack me, and horror wraps me round.
6 Et dixi: Quis dabit mihi pennas sicut columbæ, et volabo, et requiescam?
O for the wings of a dove: I would fly away and rest.
7 Ecce elongavi fugiens: et mansi in solitudine.
I would wander far away, find refuge in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 Expectabam eum, qui salvum me fecit a pusillanimitate spiritus, et tempestate.
I would find myself a shelter from raging wind and tempest.
9 Præcipita Domine, divide linguas eorum: quoniam vidi iniquitatem, et contradictionem in civitate.
Confuse them, Lord, upset their plans; for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Die ac nocte circumdabit eam super muros eius iniquitas: et labor in medio eius,
By day and by night they make their rounds on the city walls, while within is crime and trouble,
11 et iniustitia. Et non defecit de plateis eius usura et dolus.
within is ruin. Her market-place is never free of deceit and tyranny.
12 Quoniam si inimicus meus maledixisset mihi, sustinuissem utique. Et si is, qui oderat me, super me magna locutus fuisset: abscondissem me forsitan ab eo.
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 Tu vero homo unanimis: dux meus, et notus meus:
but it was you, my equal, my dear and familiar friend.
14 Qui simul mecum dulces capiebas cibos: in domo Dei ambulavimus cum consensu.
We used to be so close, together we walked in God’s house with the crowd.
15 Veniat mors super illos: et descendant in infernum viventes: Quoniam nequitiæ in habitaculis eorum: in medio eorum. (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 Ego autem ad Deum clamavi: et Dominus salvabit me.
But I will call on God, the Lord will save me.
17 Vespere, et mane, et meridie narrabo et annuntiabo: et exaudiet vocem meam.
Evening and morning and noon I lament and moan. He will hear my voice;
18 Redimet in pace animam meam ab his, qui appropinquant mihi: quoniam inter multos erant mecum.
though I am attacked by many he will rescue me, unharmed from the war.
19 Exaudiet Deus, et humiliabit illos, qui est ante sæcula. Non enim est illis commutatio, et non timuerunt Deum:
God, who sits on his ancient throne will hear and will humble them, for they never change, they never fear God. (Selah)
20 extendit manum suam in retribuendo. Contaminaverunt testamentum eius,
My friend turned against me, betrayed his word.
21 divisi sunt ab ira vultus eius: et appropinquavit cor illius. Molliti sunt sermones eius super oleum: et ipsi sunt iacula.
His mouth was smoother than butter, but war filled his heart. His words were softer than oil, but sharper than swords.
22 Iacta super Dominum curam tuam, et ipse te enutriet: non dabit in æternum fluctuationem iusto.
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.
23 Tu vero Deus deduces eos, in puteum interitus. Viri sanguinum, et dolosi non dimidiabunt dies suos: ego autem sperabo in te Domine.
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.
