HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 878
P S A LM 5 5
5
May the evil plans of my enemies be turned
against them.
Do as you promised and put an end
to them.
6
I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good.
For you have rescued me from my troubles
and helped me to triumph over my
enemies.
7
55
For the choir director: A psalm* of
David, to be accompanied by stringed
instruments.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Listen to my prayer, O God.
Do not ignore my cry for help!
Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
and angrily hunt me down.
My heart pounds in my chest.
The terror of death assaults me.
Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
and I can’t stop shaking.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!
I would fly far away
to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
How quickly I would escape—
far from this wild storm of hatred.
Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their
plans,
for I see violence and conflict in the city.
Its walls are patrolled day and night against
invaders,
but the real danger is wickedness within
the city.
Everything is falling apart;
threats and cheating are rampant in
the streets.
• Stress
page 508
12
13
14
15
Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave* swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16
But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them. Interlude
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
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18
19
20
21
As for my companion, he betrayed
his friends;
he broke his promises.
His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!
22
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip
and fall.
23
But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
56
For the choir director: A psalm* of David,
regarding the time the Philistines seized
him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on
Distant Oaks.”
1
PSALM 5 5 :2 2
An old man staggers down the road
with an enormous sack on his back.
Just when he thinks his back will break,
a strong young man steps beside him,
lifts his load, and carries it for him. This
is a picture of the Lord. At the point
when we feel that life is unbearable, the
Lord steps beside us and lifts our load.
God’s help gives us hope in the midst
of stress.
It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house
of God.
2
3
4
O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
I am constantly hounded by those who
slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
55:title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical
term. 55:15 Hebrew let Sheol. 56:title Hebrew miktam.
This may be a literary or musical term.