Psalm 54-56

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.

Psalm 56In Hebrew texts 56:1-13 is numbered 56:2-14. 1For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. Title: Probably a literary or musical term When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.

6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.

7Because of their wickedness do not Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text does not have do not. let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll Or misery; / put my tears in your wineskin — are they not in your record?

9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—

11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.