Psalms 55

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.	1 For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
2 Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication:	2 Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading;
	3 hear me and give answer. I rock with grief; I groan
4 the same are darts.	4 at the uproar of the enemy, the clamor of the wicked. They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me.
5 be attentive to me and hear me. I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled,	5 My heart pounds within me; death's terrors fall upon me.
6 at the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me.	6 Fear and trembling overwhelm me; shuddering sweeps over me.
7 My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.	7 I say, "If only I had wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest.
8 Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me.	8 Far away I would flee; I would stay in the desert. Selah
9 And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?	9 I would soon find a shelter from the raging wind and storm."
10 Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.	10 Lord, check and confuse their scheming. I see violence and strife in the city
11 I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm.	11 making rounds on its walls day and night. Within are mischief and evil;
12 Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.	12 treachery is there as well; oppression and fraud never leave its streets.
13 Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour,	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 and injustice. And usury and deceit have not departed from its streets.	14 But it was you, my other self, my comrade and friend,
15 For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it. And if he that hated me had spoken great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him.	15 You, whose company I enjoyed, at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God.
16 But thou a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar,	16 Let death take them by surprise; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their homes and hearts.
17 Who didst take sweetmeats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent.	17 But I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me.
18 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them.	18 At dusk, dawn, and noon I will grieve and complain, and my prayer will be heard.
19 But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me.	19 God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me.
20 Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice.	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 He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me.	21 They strike out at friends and go back on their promises.
22 God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God:	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 he hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant,	23 Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous to stumble.
24 they are divided by the wrath Of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and	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.
25 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.