Psalms 55

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.	1 For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;	2 Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading;
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.	3 hear me and give answer. I rock with grief; I groan
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.	4 at the uproar of the enemy, the clamor of the wicked. They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.	5 My heart pounds within me; death's terrors fall upon me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.	6 Fear and trembling overwhelm me; shuddering sweeps over me.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.	7 I say, "If only I had wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.	8 Far away I would flee; I would stay in the desert. Selah
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.	9 I would soon find a shelter from the raging wind and storm."
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.	10 Lord, check and confuse their scheming. I see violence and strife in the city
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.	11 making rounds on its walls day and night. Within are mischief and evil;
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:	12 treachery is there as well; oppression and fraud never leave its streets.
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.	13 If an enemy had reviled me, that I could bear; If my foe had viewed me with contempt, from that I could hide.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.	14 But it was you, my other self, my comrade and friend,
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.	15 You, whose company I enjoyed, at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.	16 Let death take them by surprise; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their homes and hearts.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.	17 But I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.	18 At dusk, dawn, and noon I will grieve and complain, and my prayer will be heard.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.	19 God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.	20 God, who sits enthroned forever, will hear me and humble them. For they will not mend their ways; they have no fear of God.
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.	21 They strike out at friends and go back on their promises.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.	22 Softer than butter is their speech, but war is in their hearts. Smoother than oil are their words, but they are unsheathed swords.
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.	23 Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous to stumble.
	24 But you, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. These bloodthirsty liars will not live half their days, but I put my trust in you.