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 supplication.
Unto the end. In verses, the understanding of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and despise not my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
Be attentive to me, and heed me. I have been grieved in my training, and I have been disturbed
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 adversary and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have diverted iniquities toward me, and they have been harassing me with rage.
4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
My heart has become disturbed within me, and the dread of death has fallen over me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Fear and trembling have overwhelmed me, and darkness has buried me.
6 I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
And I said, “Who will give me wings like the dove, so that I may fly away and take rest?”
7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
Behold, I have fled far away, and I linger in solitude.
8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
I waited for him who saved me from a weak-minded spirit and from a tempest.
9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Cast them down, O Lord, and divide their tongues. For I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.
10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
Day and night, iniquity will surround it upon its walls, and hardship is in its midst,
11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies do not depart from her streets.
with injustice. And usury and deceit have not fallen away 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 if my enemy had spoken evil about me, certainly, I would have sustained it. And if he who hated me had been speaking great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him.
13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
Truly, you are a man of one mind: my leader and my acquaintance,
14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
who took sweet food together with me. In the house of God, we walked side-by-side.
15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol (Sheol h7585). For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
Let death come upon them, and let them descend alive into Hellfire. For there is wickedness in their dwellings, in their midst. (Sheol h7585)
16 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
But I have cried out to God, and 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 midday, I will discourse and announce, and he will heed 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 redeem my soul in peace from those who draw near to me. For, among the many, they were with me.
19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and do not fear God.
God will hear, and He who is before time will humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God.
20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
He has stretched forth his hand in retribution. They have contaminated 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.
They were divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart has drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and they are arrows.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Cast your cares upon the Lord, and he will nurture you. He will not allow the just to be tossed about forever.
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.
Truly, O God, you will lead them away into the well of death. Bloody and deceitful men will not divide their days in half. But I will hope in you, O Lord.
