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.¹ For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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.