Tehillim Chapter 55

English translation (JPS 1917)

1. 1. For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David.
2. 2. Give ear, O God, to my prayer; And hide not Thyself from my supplication.
3. 3. Attend unto me, and answer me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;
4. 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.
5. 5. My heart doth writhe within me; And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
6. 6. Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
7. 7. And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.
8. 8. Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah
9. 9. I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.'
10. 10. Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
11. 11. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.
12. 12. Wickedness is in the midst thereof; Oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.
13. 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.
14. 14. But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend;
15. 15. We took sweet counsel together, In the house of God we walked with the throng.
16. 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.
17. 17. As for me, I will call upon God; And the LORD shall save me.
18. 18. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; And He hath heard my voice.
19. 19. He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; For they were many that strove with me.
20. 20. God shall hear, and humble them, Even He that is enthroned of old, Selah Such as have no changes, And fear not God.
21. 21. He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; He hath profaned his covenant.
22. 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.
23. 23. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
24. 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.