Psalms 55:1-7 in English

¹ For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

² Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

³ Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

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

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

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

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

¹ For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth.

² Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

³ Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

⁴ They shall be afraid, but I will trust in thee.

⁵ In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

⁶ All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices are against me for evil.

⁷ They will dwell near and hide themselves; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

¹ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

¹ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

¹ (56) For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

² Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

³ They shall be afraid, but I will trust in you.

⁴ In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

⁵ All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices are against me for evil.

⁶ They will dwell near and hide themselves; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

⁷ You will on no account save them; you will bring down the people in wrath.

¹ For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

² Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan;

³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

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

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

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

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

¹ God, listen to my prayer, and do not turn away from me while I am pleading with you.

² Listen to me, and answer me, because I am overwhelmed by all my troubles.

³ My enemies cause me to be terrified; wicked people oppress me. They cause me to have great troubles; they are angry with me, and they hate me.

⁴ I am terrified, and I am very much afraid that I will die.

⁵ I am very fearful and I tremble/shake, and I am completely terrified.

⁶ I said, “I wish that I had wings like a dove! If I had wings, I would fly away and find a place to rest.

⁷ I would fly far away and live in the desert.

¹ (56) For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

² Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

³ They shall be afraid, but I will trust in you.

⁴ In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

⁵ All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices are against me for evil.

⁶ They will dwell near and hide themselves; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

⁷ You will on no account save them; you will bring down the people in wrath.

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ To the chief music-maker, on Neginoth. Maschil. Of David. Give hearing to my prayer, O God; and let not your ear be shut against my request.

² Give thought to me, and let my prayer be answered: I have been made low in sorrow;

³ I am troubled because of the voice of the cruel ones, because of the loud cry of the evil-doers; for they put a weight of evil on me, and they are cruel in their hate for me.

⁴ My heart is deeply wounded, and the fear of death has come on me.

⁵ Fear and shaking have come over me, with deep fear I am covered.

⁶ And I said, If only I had wings like a dove! for then I would go in flight from here and be at rest.

⁷ I would go wandering far away, living in the waste land. (Selah.)

¹ To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments: an instruction. Of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

² Attend unto me, and answer me: I wander about in my plaint, and I moan aloud,

³ Because of the voice of the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

⁴ My heart is writhing within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

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

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

⁷ Behold, I would flee afar off, I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah;

¹ Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.

² Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.

³ My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.

⁴ From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.

⁵ In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.

⁶ All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.

⁷ They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,

¹ For the music director. With stringed instruments. A psalm (maskil) of David. God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!

² Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!

³ For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.

⁴ My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!

⁵ I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.

⁶ I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!

⁷ I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. Selah.

¹ To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David to give instruction. Heare my prayer, O God, and hide not thy selfe from my supplication.

² Hearken vnto me, and answere me: I mourne in my prayer, and make a noyse,

³ For the voyce of the enemie, and for the vexation of ye wicked, because they haue brought iniquitie vpon me, and furiously hate me.

⁴ Mine heart trembleth within mee, and the terrours of death are fallen vpon me.

⁵ Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me.

⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a doue: then would I flie away and rest.

⁷ Beholde, I woulde take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wildernes. Selah.

¹ (55-1) For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David. (55-2) Give ear, O God, to my prayer; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.

² (55-3) Attend unto me, and hear me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;

³ (55-4) Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

⁴ (55-5) My heart doth writhe within me; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

⁵ (55-6) Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

⁶ (55-7) And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! then would I fly away, and be at rest.

⁷ (55-8) Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

¹ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

¹ “To the chief musician on Neginoth, a Maskil of David.” (55:2) Give ear, O God, to my prayer, and hide not thyself from my supplication.

² (55:3) Listen unto me, and answer me: I mourn in my grief, and moan;

³ (55:4) Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast wrong upon me, and in wrath they attack me.

⁴ (55:5) My heart is sorely pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

⁵ (55:6) Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and shuddering hath covered me.

⁶ (55:7) And I said, Oh that some one would give me wings like a dove! I would fly away and dwell quietly.

⁷ (55:8) Lo, I would flee far away, I would spend my night in the wilderness. Selah.

¹ For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Gath.

² Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; All the day long he warring has afflicted me.

³ Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; For there are many warring against me.

⁴ They shall be afraid, but I will trust in thee.

⁵ In God I will praise my words; All the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

⁶ All the day long they have abominated my words; All their devices are against me for evil.

⁷ They will dwell near and hide themselves; They will watch my steps, Accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

¹ “For the leader of the music. To be sung on stringed instruments. A psalm of David.” Give ear to my prayer, O God! Hide not thyself from my supplication!

² Attend unto me, and hear me! I wander about mourning and wailing,

³ On account of the clamors of the enemy, On account of the violence of the wicked. For they bring evil upon me, And in wrath set themselves against me.

⁴ My heart trembleth in my bosom, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

⁵ Fear and trembling have seized me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

⁶ Then I say, O that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest.

⁷ Behold, I would wander far away, And take up my abode in a wilderness. Pause.

¹ For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen, God, to my prayer. Don't hide yourself from my pleading.

² Hear me, and answer; for bitter is my lament.

³ I am wild with the noise of the foe, with the clamour of the ungodly; for they hurl disaster upon me, and attack me with fury.

⁴ My heart shudders within me, terrors of deaths press on me,

⁵ fear and trembling attack me, and horror wraps me round.

⁶ O for the wings of a dove: I would fly away and rest.

⁷ I would wander far away, find refuge in the wilderness. Selah

¹ For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen, God, to my prayer. Don't hide yourself from my pleading.

² Hear me, and answer; for bitter is my lament.

³ I am wild with the noise of the foe, with the clamor of the ungodly; for they hurl disaster upon me, and attack me with fury.

⁴ My heart shudders within me, terrors of deaths press on me,

⁵ fear and trembling attack me, and horror wraps me round.

⁶ O for the wings of a dove: I would fly away and rest.

⁷ I would wander far away, find refuge in the wilderness. Selah

¹ Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

¹ For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, God; and do not hide yourself from my plea.

² Pay attention to me and answer me; I have no rest in my troubles

³ because of the voice of my enemies, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring trouble on me and persecute me in anger.

⁴ My heart trembles within me, and the terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

⁶ I said, “Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away and be at rest.

⁷ See, then I would wander far away; I would stay in the wilderness. Selah

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan

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.

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

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

⁷ Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.

¹ To victory, in organs, the learning of David. God, hear thou my prayer, and despise thou not my beseeching;

² give thou attention to me, and hear thou me. I am sorrowful in mine exercising;

³ and I am disturbed of the face of the enemy, and of the tribulation of the sinner. For they bowed wicked-nesses into me; and in ire they were dis-easeful to me.

⁴ Mine heart was troubled in me; and the dread of death felled on me.

⁵ Dread and trembling came on me; and darknesses covered me.

⁶ And I said, Who shall give to me feathers, as of a culver; and I shall fly, and shall take rest?

⁷ Lo! I went far away, and fled; and I dwelled in wilderness.

¹ To victory, in organs, the learning of David. God, hear thou my prayer, and despise thou not my beseeching; (For the choirmaster, with stringed instruments, a teaching by David. God, hear thou my prayer, and despise thou not my plea;)

² give thou attention to me, and hear thou me. I am sorrowful in mine exercising (or I am grieved by my distress);

³ and I am disturbed of the face of the enemy, and of the tribulation of the sinner. For they bowed wickednesses into me; and in ire they were dis-easeful to me. (and I am made afraid by my enemies, and by the trouble which the sinners have brought upon me. For they bowed down wickednesses upon me; and with great anger they were very hateful to me.)

⁴ Mine heart was troubled in me; and the dread of death felled on me. (My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.)

⁵ Dread and trembling came on me (or Fear and trembling came upon me); and darknesses covered me.

⁶ And I said, Who shall give to me feathers, as of a culver; and I shall fly, and shall take rest? (And I said, Who shall give me wings like a dove? and then I can fly away, and get some rest.)

⁷ Lo! I went far away, and fled; and I dwelled in wilderness. (Behold! I would flee far away; and I would live in the wilderness.)

¹ To the Overseer with stringed instruments. — An instruction, by David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer, And hide not from my supplication.

² Attend to me, and answer me, I mourn in my meditation, and make a noise,

³ Because of the voice of an enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked, For they cause sorrow to move against me, And in anger they hate me.

⁴ My heart is pained within me, And terrors of death have fallen on me.

⁵ Fear and trembling come in to me, And horror doth cover me.

⁶ And I say, 'Who doth give to me a pinion as a dove? I fly away and rest,

⁷ Lo, I move far off, I lodge in a wilderness. Selah.