Betrayed by the Ziphites
Psalms 53
After the Ziphites told Saul that David was hiding among them, the psalmist prays for God to save him by his name and judge him by his might, since strangers and violent men have risen against his life without regard for God. He resolves to offer a freewill sacrifice of thanksgiving, confident that the Lord has delivered him and let him see his desire upon his enemies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, among the Hymns of instruction by David,
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ἐν ὕμνοις συνέσεως τῷ Δαυὶδ,
KJV—
JPS—
2
Thomson—
Brentonwhen the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Lo, is not David hid with us?
Greekἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν τοὺς Ζειφαίους, καὶ εἰπεῖν τῷ Σαοὺλ, οὐκ ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ κέκρυπται παρʼ ἡμῖν;
KJV—
JPSwhen the Ziphites came and said to Saul: 'Doth not David hide himself with us?'
3
ThomsonSAVE me, O God, by Thy name; and judge me by Thy power.
BrentonSave me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy might.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου σῶσόν με, καὶ ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου κρῖνόν με.
KJVSave me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
JPSO God, save me by Thy name, And right me by Thy might.
4
ThomsonO God, hearken to my prayer. Give ear to the words of my mouth.
BrentonO God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth.
GreekὉ Θεὸς εἰσάκουσον τῆς προσευχῆς μου, ἐνώτισαι τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ στόματός μου.
KJVHear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
JPSO God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
5
ThomsonFor strangers have risen up against me; and men of power have sought my life. They have not set God before them.
BrentonFor strangers have risen up against me, and mighty men have sought my life: they have not set God before them. Pause.
GreekὍτι ἀλλότριοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, καὶ κραταιοὶ ἐζήτησαν τὴν ψυχήν μου, οὐ προέθεντο τὸν Θεὸν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν· διάψαλμα.
KJVFor strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
JPSFor strangers are risen up against me, And violent men have sought after my soul; They have not set God before them. Selah
6
ThomsonBehold God is my helper. The Lord is the protector of my life.
BrentonFor lo! God assists me; and the Lord is the helper of my soul.
GreekἸδοὺ γὰρ ὁ Θεὸς βοηθεῖ μοι, καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἀντιλήπτωρ τῆς ψυχῆς μου.
KJVBehold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
JPSBehold, God is my helper; The Lord is for me as the upholder of my soul.
7
ThomsonHe will turn these evils on mine enemies. Destroy Thou them in Thy truth.
BrentonHe shall return evil to mine enemies; utterly destroy them in thy truth.
GreekἈποστρέψει τὰ κακὰ τοῖς ἐχθροῖς μου, ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ σου ἐξολόθρευσον αὐτούς.
KJVHe shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
JPSHe will requite the evil unto them that lie in wait for me; Destroy Thou them in Thy truth.
8
ThomsonWith free-will offerings I will sacrifice to Thee: I will praise Thy name, O Lord; for it is good:
BrentonI will willingly sacrifice to thee: I will give thanks to thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
GreekἙκουσίως θύσω σοι, ἐξομολογήσομαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου Κύριε, ὅτι ἀγαθόν.
KJVI will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
JPSWith a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto Thee; I will give thanks unto Thy name, O LORD, for it is good.
9
Thomsonbecause Thou hast delivered me from all affliction; and among mine enemies mine eye hath looked on.
BrentonFor thou hast delivered me out of all affliction, and mine eye has seen my desire upon mine enemies.
GreekὍτι ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως ἐῤῥύσω με, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐχθροῖς μου ἐπεῖδεν ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου.
KJVFor he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
JPSFor He hath delivered me out of all trouble; And mine eye hath gazed upon mine enemies.