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.
2
(55:3) Attend unto me, and hear me;
I am distraught in my complaint, and will 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.
4
(55:5) My heart doth writhe within me;
and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5
(55:6) Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror hath 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.
7
(55:8) Lo, then would I 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."
9
(55:10) Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue;
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.
11
(55:12) Wickedness is in the midst thereof;
oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.
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.
13
(55:14) But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend;
14
(55:15) We took sweet counsel together, in the house of God we walked with the throng.
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.
16
(55:17) As for me, I will call upon God;
and the LORD shall save me.
17
(55:18) Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan;
and He hath heard 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.
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.
20
(55:21) He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him;
he hath profaned 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.
22
(55:23) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee;
He will never suffer 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.