For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Isn't David hiding himself among us?"
[54:1] Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might. [54:2] Hear my prayer, God. Listen to the words of my mouth. [54:3] For strangers have risen up against me. Violent men have sought after my soul. They haven't set God before them. Selah. [54:4] Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul. [54:5] He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth. [54:6] With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. [54:7] For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.
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.