PSALM 55

To the Chief Musician; with stringed instruments. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of David.

David conplains of his fearful case Psalm 55.1-23

Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication!

^{2 Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan
^{3 [and I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.

^{4 My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
^{5 Fear and trembling have come upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me.
^{6 And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
^{7 yes, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness;}}}}}}

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

^{8 I would hasten to escape and to find a shelter form the stormy wind and tempest."

^{9 Destroy [their schemes], O Lord, confuse their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
^{10 Day and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in its midst.
^{11 Violence and ruin are within it; fraud and guile do not depart form its streets and marketplaces.

^{12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me - then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me - then I might hide from him.
^{13 But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.
^{14 We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.
^{15 Let desolations and death come suddenly upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol (the place of the dead), for evils are in their habitations, in their hearts, and their imnost part.

^{16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
^{17 Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.
^{18 He has redeemed my life in pease from the battle that was against me [so that none came near me], for they were many who strove with me.
^{19 God will hear and humble them, even He Who abides of old,}}}}}}}}}}}}

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

because in them there has been no change [of heart], and they do not fear, revere, and worship God.

^{20 [My companion] has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken and profaned his agreement [of friendship and loyalty].
^{21 The words of his mouth were smoother than cream or butter, but was was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
^{22 Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). [1Pet5.7]

^{23 But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live outu half their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You.}}}} PSALM 56

To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] "Silent Dove Among Those Far Away." Of David.

A record of memorable thoughts when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

David complains of his enemies Psalm 56.1-13

Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary appresses me.

^{2 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up or trample me all day long, for they are many who fight against me, O Most High!
^{3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.
^{4 By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?

^{5 All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt.
^{6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life.
^{7 They think to escape with iniquity, and shall they? In Your indignation bring down the peoples, O God.

^{8 You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle. Aer they not in Your book?
^{9 Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry ouut; this I know, for God is for me. [Rom8.31]

^{10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise,
^{11 in God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

^{12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings.
^{13 For You uhave delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.}}}}}}}}}}}} PSALM 57

To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] "Do Not Destroy." A record of memorable thoughts of David when he fled from Saul in the came.

David complains of his dangerous case Psalm 57.1-11

Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and dectructive storms are passed.

^{2 I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!
^{3 He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame.}}

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness.

^{4 My life is among lions; I must lie among those who are aflame; the sons of men who teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.
^{5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!

^{6 They set a net for my steps; my very life was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen.}}}

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

^{7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.
^{8 Awake, my glory (my inner self); awake, harp and lyre! I will awake right early [I will awaken the dawn]!
^{9 I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.
^{10 For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great, reaching to the heavens, and Your truth and faithfulness to the clouds.

^{11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.}}}}}