Part 351 (2/2)

54:20. G.o.d shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared G.o.d:

54:21. He hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant,

54:22. They are divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother tha oil, and the same are darts.

They are divided, etc... Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of G.o.d; who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways.

54:23. Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.

54:24. But thou, O G.o.d, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. b.l.o.o.d.y and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee, O Lord.

Psalms Chapter 55

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 t.i.tle (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.

55:2. Have mercy on me, O G.o.d, 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 G.o.d I will praise my words, in G.o.d I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.

My words... The words or promises G.o.d 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 G.o.d,

For nothing shalt thou save them... That is, since they lie in wait to ruin my soul, thou shalt for no consideration favour or a.s.sist them, but execute thy justice upon them.

55:9. I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set me 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 G.o.d.

55:11. In G.o.d will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In G.o.d have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.

55:12. In me, O G.o.d, are vows to thee, which I will lpay, 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 G.o.d, in the light of the living.

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