Psalms

A collection of songs and prayers expressing a wide range of emotions and thoughts on faith.

Chapter 55

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

*Listen to my prayer, God; don't hide from my request.

2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

*Listen to me and pay attention: I am sad and complaining, so I cry out loudly.

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.

*Due to the enemy's voice and the wicked's oppression, they throw evil at me, and they hate me with rage.

4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

*My heart hurts a lot inside: and I'm scared of death's frightening feelings.

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

*I am feeling scared, shaking, and extremely frightened.

6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

*I said, "Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! Then I could fly away and find peace."

7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

*Look, then I would go very far away and stay in the wild places. Stop and think about that.

8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

*I'd quickly run away from the strong wind and big storm.

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

*Destroy, Lord, and split their languages: I've witnessed violence and conflict in the city.

10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

*During day and night, trouble and sadness happen within it, as people constantly cause harm on its walls.

11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

*Wickedness is present in that place; it has deceit and trickery that don't leave its streets.

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:

*It wasn't a foe mocking me, so I could have dealt with it. Nor was it someone who hated me boasting about themselves, so I would have avoided them.

13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

*But you were the one, a person like me, showing me the way, and a familiar friend.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

*We had nice conversations together and went to God's house with each other.

15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

*Let death come to them suddenly and take them to hell quickly; they have wickedness in their homes and everywhere they are.

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

*I will ask God for help, and the Lord will rescue me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

*I will pray at morning, evening, and noon. I will shout, and God will listen to my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

*He saved my life in peace from the fight that was against me, as there were many with me.

19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

*God will listen and punish them, the one who has been around for a long time. (Selah) They don't change, so they don't fear God.

20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

*He reached out his hands against those who were friendly with him; he broke his agreement.

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.

*His speech was as smooth as butter, but he had war in his heart. His words were gentle like oil, but his swords were ready to fight.

22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

*Give your worries to God, and He will help you. He will never let good people fail.

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.

*But you, God, will make them fall into the destruction pit. Dishonest and violent people won't live long; I will trust in you.

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