Psalms 55
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1(55-1) For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David. (55-2) Give ear, O God, to my prayer; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.
1Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2(55-3) Attend unto me, and hear me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;
2Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
3(55-4) Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they persecute me.
3because 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.
4(55-5) My heart doth writhe within me; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
4My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5(55-6) Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
5Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6(55-7) And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! then would I fly away, and be at rest.
6I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7(55-8) Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah
7Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.
8(55-9) I would haste me to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.'
8“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9(55-10) Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
9Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10(55-11) Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.
10Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11(55-12) Wickedness is in the midst thereof; oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.
11Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
12(55-13) For it was not an enemy that taunted me, then I could have borne it; neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him.
12For 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.
13(55-14) But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend;
13But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14(55-15) We took sweet counsel together, in the house of God we walked with the throng.
14We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
15(55-16) May He incite death against them, let them go down alive into the nether-world; for evil is in their dwelling, and within them.
15Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
16(55-17) As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
16As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
17(55-18) Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He hath heard my voice.
17Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18(55-19) He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; for they were many that strove with me.
18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
19(55-20) God shall hear, and humble them, even He that is enthroned of old, Selah, such as have no changes, and fear not God.
19God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. They never change and don’t fear God.
20(55-21) He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; he hath profaned his covenant.
20He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
21(55-22) Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet were they keen-edged swords.
21His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22(55-23) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
22Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
23(55-24) But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; but as for me, I will trust in Thee.
23But 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.
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