Psalm 55: Overview

St Alphonsus Liguori summarised this psalm as follows:

David flying from the presence of Saul, who was seeking his death, retires among the Philistines; but when recognized by them who he was, he finds himself in great danger (r Kings, xxi. 10). Under these circumstances he composes this prayer, which every Christian can use when he sees himself in danger of falling into sin and becoming the prey of the devil.

The text of the psalm

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem, pro populo qui a sanctis longe factus est. David in tituli inscriptionem, cum tenuerunt eum Allophyli in Geth.	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.
1 Miserére mei, Deus, quóniam conculcávit me homo: * tota die impúgnans tribulávit me.	Have mercy on me, O God, for man has trodden me under foot; all the day long he has afflicted me fighting against me.
2  Conculcavérunt me inimíci mei tota die: * quóniam multi bellántes advérsum me.	My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.
3  Ab altitúdine diéi timébo: * ego vero in te sperábo.	From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in you.
4  In Deo laudábo sermónes meos, in Deo sperávi: * non timébo quid fáciat mihi caro.	In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
5  Tota die verba mea exsecrabántur: * advérsum me omnes cogitatiónes eórum in malum.	All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
6  Inhabitábunt, et abscóndent: * ipsi calcáneum meum observábunt.	They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel.
7  Sicut sustinuérunt ánimam meam, pro níhilo salvos fácies illos: * in ira pópulos confrínges.	As they have waited for my soul, for nothing shall you save them: in your anger you shall break the people in pieces.
8  Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi: * posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.	O God, I have declared to you my life: you have set me tears in your sight,
9  Sicut et in promissióne tua: * tunc converténtur inimíci mei retrórsum :	As also in your promise.Then shall my enemies be turned back.
10  In quacúmque die invocávero te: * ecce cognóvi quóniam Deus meus es.	In what day soever I shall call upon you, behold I know you are my God.
11  In Deo laudábo verbum, in Dómino laudábo sermónem: * in Deo sperávi, non timébo quid fáciat mihi homo.	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.
12  In me sunt, Deus, vota tua, * quæ reddam,  laudatiónes tibi.	In me, O God, are vows to you, which I will pay, praises to you:
13  Quóniam eripuísti ánimam meam de morte, et pedes meos de lapsu: * ut pláceam coram Deo in lúmine vivéntium.	Because you have delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Romans 8:35-39; Hebrews 13: 6 (4, 11); Rev 7:17 (8)
RB cursus	Tuesday Matins II, 4
Monastic feasts etc	-
Responsories	-
Roman pre 1911	Wednesday Matins
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Wednesday Sext . 1970: Week 2: Thursday DP, omitting verse 7
Mass propers (EF)	Lent 3 Monday, IN (1, 4, 11-12); ?GR (2, 9) Passion Monday, IN (1-2); ?GR(2, 9)