Psalms

The second book of Psalms, song 55, New English Translation and King James Version

Psalm 55

New English Translation

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David.

   1 Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!
   2 Pay attention to me and answer me! I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself,
   3 because of what the enemy says, and because of how the wicked pressure me, for they hurl trouble down upon me and angrily attack me.
   4 My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me.
   5 Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me.
   6 I say, "I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
   7 Look, I will escape to a distant place; I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
   8 I will hurry off to a place that is safe from the strong wind and the gale."
   9 Confuse them, O LORD! Frustrate their plans! For I see violence and conflict in the city.
   10 Day and night they walk around on its walls, while wickedness and destruction are within it.
   11 Disaster is within it; violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
   12 Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me, or else I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, or else I could hide from him.
   13 But it is you, a man like me, my close friend in whom I confided.
   14 We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God's temple we would walk together among the crowd.
   15 May death destroy them! May they go down alive into Sheol! For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
   16 As for me, I will call out to God, and the LORD will deliver me.
   17 During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan, and he will hear me.
   18 He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me, even though they greatly outnumber me.
   19 God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago, will hear and humiliate them. (Selah) They refuse to change, and do not fear God.
   20 He attacks his friends; he breaks his solemn promises to them.
   21 His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.
   22 Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.
   23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit. Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I trust in you.

King James Version

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

   1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
   2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
   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.
   4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
   5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
   6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
   7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
   8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
   9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
   10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
   11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
   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:
   13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
   14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
   15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
   16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
   17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
   18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
   19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
   20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
   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.
   22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
   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.