Psalm 55
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by
David.
1 Listen
to my prayer, God.
Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me,
and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint,
and moan
3 because of
the voice of
the enemy,
because of the oppression
of the wicked.
For they bring suffering on me.
In anger they hold a grudge against
me.
4 My heart
is severely pained within
me.
The terrors of death
have fallen on me.
5 Fearfulness
and trembling have
come on me.
Horror has overwhelmed
me.
6 I said, “Oh that I had wings
like a dove!
Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Behold, then
I would wander far
off.
I would lodge in
the wilderness.”
Selah.
8 “I would hurry
to a shelter from
the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Confuse them,
Lord, and confound their language,
for I have seen violence and strife
in the city.
10 Day
and night they prowl around
on its walls.
Malice and abuse are
also within her.
11 Destructive forces
are within her.
Threats and lies don’t depart from
her streets.
12 For
it was not an enemy
who insulted me,
then I could
have endured it.
Neither was it
he who hated me
who raised himself up against
me,
then I would
have hidden myself from
him.
13 But
it was you,
a man like
me,
my companion, and
my familiar friend.
14 We
took sweet fellowship together.
We walked in God’s house
with company.
15 Let death
come suddenly on
them.
Let them go
down alive into Sheol.
For wickedness is among
them, in
their dwelling.
16 As
for me, I
will call on God.
The LORD will save
me.
17 Evening, morning,
and at noon, I
will cry out
in distress.
He will hear
my voice.
18 He has
redeemed my soul in
peace from
the battle that
was against me,
although there are many who oppose me.
19 God, who
is enthroned forever,
will hear and answer
them.
Selah.
They never change
and don’t fear God.
20 He raises
his hands against
his friends.
He has violated
his covenant.
21 His mouth
was smooth as butter,
but his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they
were drawn swords.
22 Cast
your burden on the
LORD and he
will sustain you.
He will never allow
the righteous to
be moved.
23 But
you, God, will
bring them down
into the pit
of destruction.
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men
shall not live
out half their
days,
but I will trust
in you.