Psalms 55
1 To the Chief Musician: with stringed Instruments. A Psalm of Instruction, of David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer, And do not hide thyself from 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 unto me, and answer me, I may ramble in my complaining, And be driven to and fro—
Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!
3 Because of the noise of the enemy, By reason of the oppression of the lawless one, For they would let trouble drop upon me, And, in anger, would they entrap 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, would writhe within me, And, the terrors of Death, have fallen upon me:
My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!
5 Fear and trembling, would enter me, And there would have overwhelmed me—a horror!
I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.
6 Then I said—Oh that there were given me a pinion, like a dove, I would fly 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 Lo! I would take a distant flight, I would tarry in the wilderness. (Selah)
I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8 I would hasten mine escape, From rushing wind, from storm.
I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.
9 Confuse, O My Lord, divide their speech, For I have seen violence and contention in the city;
Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night, they go round her, upon her walls, And, trouble and misery, are in her midst;
They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city.
11 Engulfing ruin, is in her midst, And there depart not from her broadway, oppression and deceit.
The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.
12 For it is, not an enemy, that reproacheth me, Or I could bear it, —Not one that hath hated me, who, against me, hath magnified himself, Or I might hide 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 it is, thou, a man esteemed as mine equal, mine associate, and mine acquaintance;
No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!
14 So that together have we been wont to find sweetness in counsel, In the house of God, used we to walk in the throng.
Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.
15 Desolations on them! Let them go down into hades alive, For, wicked doings, are at home within 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, unto God, will cry, —And, Yahweh, will save me.
As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.
17 At evening and morning and high noon, have I been wont to lament and complain, And he hath heard my voice!
I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.
18 He hath completely redeemed my soul, out of the attack upon me, For, in multitudes, were they [in conflict] with me.
He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.
19 GOD will hear, Yea He will humble them who aforetime sat [enthroned]. (Selah) With whom are no changings, Neither have they revered 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 hath thrust forth his hands, against them he was wont to salute, he hath violated 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 Smoother than curds, were [the words of] his mouth, But, war, was [in] his heart, —Softer his words than oil, Yet, they, were drawn swords!
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 upon Yahweh thy lot, and, he, will sustain thee: He will not suffer, to times age-abiding, the righteous one to be shaken.
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, thou, O God, wilt bring them down to the pit of destruction, Men of bloodshed and deceit, shall not live out half their days; But, I, will trust in thee.
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.
