The Psalms, starting at chapter 55
Psalm 55
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by
David.
{55:1} Listen to my prayer, God.
Don't hide yourself from my supplication.
{55:2} Attend to me, and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
{55:3} Because 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.
{55:4} My heart is severely pained within me.
The terrors of death have fallen on me.
{55:5} Fearfulness and trembling have come on me.
Horror has overwhelmed me.
{55:6} I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove!
Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
{55:7} Behold, then I would wander far off.
I would lodge in the wilderness."
Selah.
{55:8} "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
{55:9} Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language,
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
{55:10} Day and night they prowl around on its walls.
Malice and abuse are also within her.
{55:11} Destructive forces are within her.
Threats and lies don't depart from her streets.
{55:12} For 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 hid myself from him.
{55:13} But it was you, a man like me,
my companion, and my familiar friend.
{55:14} We took sweet fellowship together.
We walked in God's house with company.
{55:15} Let death come suddenly on them.
Let them go down alive into Sheol.
For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.
{55:16} As for me, I will call on God.
Yahweh will save me.
{55:17} Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress.
He will hear my voice.
{55:18} He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was
against me,
although there are many who oppose me.
{55:19} God, who is enthroned forever,
will hear, and answer them.
Selah.
They never change,
who don't fear God.
{55:20} He raises his hands against his friends.
He has violated his covenant.
{55:21} His mouth was smooth as butter,
but his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
{55:22} Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
{55:23} But 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.
Psalm 56
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands."
A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
{56:1} Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up.
All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
{56:2} My enemies want to swallow me up all day long,
for they are many who fight proudly against me.
{56:3} When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
{56:4} In God, I praise his word.
In God, I put my trust.
I will not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
{56:5} All day long they twist my words.
All their thoughts are against me for evil.
{56:6} They conspire and lurk,
watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.
{56:7} Shall they escape by iniquity?
In anger cast down the peoples, God.
{56:8} You number my wanderings.
You put my tears into your bottle.
Aren't they in your book?
{56:9} Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call.
I know this, that God is for me.
{56:10} In God, I will praise his word.
In Yahweh, I will praise his word.
{56:11} I have put my trust in God.
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
{56:12} Your vows are on me, God.
I will give thank offerings to you.
{56:13} For you have delivered my soul from death,
and prevented my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Psalm 57
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A poem by
David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
{57:1} Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me,
for my soul takes refuge in you.
Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge,
until disaster has passed.
{57:2} I cry out to God Most High,
to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
{57:3} He will send from heaven, and save me,
he rebukes the one who is pursuing me.
Selah.
God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
{57:4} My soul is among lions.
I lie among those who are set on fire,
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
{57:5} Be exalted, God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be above all the earth!
{57:6} They have prepared a net for my steps.
My soul is bowed down.
They dig a pit before me.
They fall into its midst themselves.
Selah.
{57:7} My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
{57:8} Wake up, my glory! Wake up, psaltery and harp!
I will wake up the dawn.
{57:9} I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
{57:10} For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens,
and your truth to the skies.
{57:11} Be exalted, God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.
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