Day 192 The Bible in a Year (Orthodox canon)

Psalm 54 (55)

1 For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. 2 Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication. 3 Attend to me, and hearken to me: I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled; 4 because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me. 5 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me. 6 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me. 7 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest. 8 Lo! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. Pause. 9 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest. 10 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gainsaying in the city. 11 Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it; 12 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets. 13 For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him. 14 But thou, O man likeminded, my guide, and my acquaintance, 15 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord. 16 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. 17 I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me. 18 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice. 19 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: for they were with me in many [cases]. 20 God shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. Pause. For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God. 21 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant. 22 They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts. 23 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 24 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in thee, O Lord.

Psalm 55 (56)

1 For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. 2 Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me. 3 Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me. 4 They shall be afraid, but I will trust in thee. 5 In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me. 6 All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices [are] against me for evil. 7 They will dwell near and hide [themselves]; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul. 8 Thou wilt on no account save them; thou wilt bring down the people in wrath. 9 O God, I have declared my life to thee; thou hast set my tears before thee, even according to thy promise. 10 Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon thee; behold, I know that thou art my God. 11 In God will I praise [his] word; in the Lord will I praise [his] saying. 12 I have hoped in God; I will not be afraid of what man shall do to me. 13 The vows of thy praise, O God, which I will pay, are upon me. 14 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from sliding, that I should be well-pleasing before God in the land of the living.

Psalm 56 (57)

1 For the end. Destroy not: by David, for a memorial, when he fled from the presence of Saul to the cave. 2 Have mercy, upon me, O God, have mercy upon me: for my soul has trusted in thee: and in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until the iniquity have passed away. 3 I will cry to God most high; the God who has benefited me. Pause. 4 He sent from heaven and saved me; he gave to reproach them that trampled on me: God has sent forth his mercy and his truth; 5 and he has delivered my soul from the midst of [lions'] whelps: I lay down to sleep, [though] troubled. [As for] the sons of men, their teeth are arms and [missile] weapons, and their tongue a sharp sword. 6 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the earth. 7 They have prepared snares for my feet, and have bowed down my soul: they have dug a pit before my face, and fallen into it [themselves]. Pause. 8 My heart, O God, [is] ready, my heart [is] ready: I will sing, yea will sing psalms. 9 Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I will awake early. 10 O Lord, I will give thanks to thee among the nations: I will sing to thee among the Gentiles. 11 For thy mercy has been magnified even to the heavens, and thy truth to the clouds. 12 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the earth.