Psalms Chapter 55
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Miserere mei, Deus.
A prayer of David in danger and distress.
55:1. Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance form the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.
55:2. Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
55:3. My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.
55:4. From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.
The height of the day.... That is, even at noonday, when the sun is the highest, I am still in danger.
55:5. In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
My words.... The words or promises God has made in my favour.
55:6. All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
55:7. They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,
55:8. For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces. O God,
For nothing shalt thou save them.... That is, since they lie in wait to ruin my soul, thou shalt for no consideration favour or assist them, but execute thy justice upon them.
55:9. I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set my tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise.
55:10. Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God.
55:11. In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.
55:12. In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee:
55:13. Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.