Psalms, 55

1. To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

1.

2. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

2. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not be deaf to my pleading;

3. Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

3. give heed to me and answer me. I am greatly troubled

4. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

4. at the outcry of the enemy and the clamor of the wicked. I am distraught at the way they revile me and persecute me in their fury.

5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

5. My heart agonizes within me; the terrors of death fall upon me.

6. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! [for then] would I fly away, and be at rest.

6. I tremble in fear - horror has got the better of me.

7. Lo, [then] would I wander far off, [and] remain in the wilderness. Selah.

7. I said, "If I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest;

8. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest.

8. I would seek a home in the desert

9. Destroy, O Lord, [and] divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

9. or hurry to find a cave for shelter from the tempest."

10. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow [are] in the midst of it.

10. O Lord, shatter their plans. In the city I see strife and violence;

11. Wickedness [is] in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

11. day and night they prowl about its walls, while inside, evil prevails.

12. For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

12. Forces of tyranny and treachery are at work undermining the city.

13. But [it was] thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

13. If it were a rival insulting me, I could bear with him; if it were a foe in pursuit of me, I could hide from him.

14. We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto the house of God in company.

14. But it is you, an equal of mine, my bosom friend, my companion

15. Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.

15. whose fellowship I enjoyed as we walked together in the house of God.

16. As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

16. Let death come upon them suddenly, let them go down to the grave alive, for within them evil and mischief thrive.

17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

17. But in God I seek refuge; the Lord will rescue me.

18. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was] against me: for there were many with me.

18. Morning, evening, and even at noon, I cry out my grievance and moan; surely he will hear my voice.

19. God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

19. He will deliver me in safety from my opponents, for they are many.

20. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

20. God who is enthroned forever will hear me and humble them, for they do not repent nor do they stand in awe of God.

21. [The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.

21. My friend has attacked his associates and has violated his pact with them.

22. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

22. His words were smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his utterances, more soothing than oil, were swords ready and drawn.

23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

23. Place your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you, for he never allows the upright to fall.

24.

24. But you, O God, will cast the wicked into a pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous, they will not live out half their days. As for me, I trust in you alone, O Lord.