Psalms 55
1 For the end, amongst Hymns of instruction by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.
For the music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!
2 Attend to me, and listen to me: I was grieved in my (meditation) and troubled;
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.
For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.
4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.
I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!
7 Behold! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. (Pause)
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.
The problem is that it's not an enemy who mocks me—I could stand that. It's not someone who hates me who insults me—I could avoid them.
13 But you, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.
Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
15 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)
May death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them. (Sheol h7585)
16 I cried to God, and the Lord listened to me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for they were with me in many [cases].
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 God shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. (Pause) For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God.
God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. (Selah) For they refuse to change and don't respect God.
20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.
As for my best friend, he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.
21 They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew near them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
22 Cast your care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
23 But you, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in you, O Lord.
But you, God, will bring down murderers and liars, throwing them into the pit of destruction before they have even lived half their lives. As for me, I will trust in you.
