Psalm 53

Dixit insipiens

The foolish body hath said in his heart *

There is no God.

Corrupt are they, and become abominable in their wickedness *

there is none that doeth good.

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men *

to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.

But they are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become abominable *

there is also none that doeth good, no not one.

Are not they without understanding, that work wickedness *

eating up my people as if they would eat bread? they have not called upon God.

They were afraid where no fear was *

for God hath broken the bones of him that besieged thee; thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath despised them.

O that the salvation were given unto Israel out of Sion *

O that the Lord would deliver his people out of captivity!

Then should Jacob rejoice *

and Israel should be right glad.

Psalm 54

Deus, in nomine

Save me, O God, for thy Name’s sake *

and avenge me in thy strength.

Hear my prayer, O God *

and hearken unto the words of my mouth.

For strangers are risen up against me *

and tyrants, which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul.

Behold, God is my helper *

the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

He shall reward evil unto mine enemies *

destroy thou them in thy truth.

An offering of a free heart will I give thee, and praise thy Name, O Lord *

because it is so comfortable.

For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble *

and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm 55

Exaudi, Deus

Hear my prayer, O God *

and hide not thyself from my petition.

Take heed unto me, and hear me *

how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.

The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast *

for they are minded to do me some mischief; so maliciously are they set against me.

My heart is disquieted within me *

and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me *

and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.

And I said, O that I had wings like a dove *

for then would I flee away, and be at rest.

Lo, then would I get me away far off *

and remain in the wilderness.

I would make haste to escape *

because of the stormy wind and tempest.

Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them *

for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.

Day and night they go about within the walls thereof *

mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

Wickedness is therein *

deceit and guile go not out of their streets.

For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour *

for then I could have borne it.

Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me *

for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.

But it was even thou, my companion *

my guide, and mine own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together *

and walked in the house of God as friends.

Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell *

for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

As for me, I will call upon God *

and the Lord shall save me.

In the evening, and morning, and at noonday will I pray, and that instantly *

and he shall hear my voice.

It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me *

for there were many with me.

Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down *

for they will not turn, nor fear God.

He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him *

and he brake his covenant.

The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart *

his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.

O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee *

and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.

And as for them *

thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.

The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days *

nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.