Psalm 52-55

Psalm 52In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11. 1For the director of music. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.” Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.

3You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.

4You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.

6The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,

7“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”

8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. 9For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Psalm 53In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7. 1For the director of music. According to mahalath. Title: Probably a musical term A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

2God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.

5But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. 6Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 54In Hebrew texts 54:1-7 is numbered 54:3-9. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

2Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

3Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

4Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good. 7You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Psalm 55In Hebrew texts 55:1-23 is numbered 55:2-24. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

2hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

3because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.

4My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

6I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7I would flee far away and stay in the desert; The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and in the middle of verse 19.

8I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

9Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.

10Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.

11Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

12If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.

13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

14with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.

15Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.

16As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

17Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

18He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

19God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.

20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 23But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.