Psalms 55
Open in the reader1Unto the End. With stringed-music. A Contemplation of Beloved.
2Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
3Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught
4at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster upon me and resent me in their anger.
5My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
6Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
7I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
8How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. Selah
9I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”
10O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
11Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.
12Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
13For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
14But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.
15We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
16Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Place-of-the-Dead alive, for evil is with them in their homes.
17But I call to God, and He-Who-Is saves me.
18Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
19He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
20God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
21My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
22His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
23Cast your burden upon He-Who-Is and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
24But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.