Psalms 55

Revised Standard Version

¹ To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication!

² Attend to me, and answer me; I am overcome by my trouble. I am distraught

³ by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me.

⁴ My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

⁵ Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.

⁶ And I say, 'O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;

⁷ yea, I would wander afar, I would lodge in the wilderness, [Selah]

⁸ I would haste to find me a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.'

⁹ Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰ Day and night they go around it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it,

¹¹ ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place.

¹² It is not an enemy who taunts me -- then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me -- then I could hide from him.

¹³ But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.

¹⁴ We used to hold sweet converse together; within God"s house we walked in fellowship.

¹⁵ Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves.

¹⁶ But I call upon God; and the LORD will save me.

¹⁷ Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice.

¹⁸ He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.

¹⁹ God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [Selah]

²⁰ My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant.

²¹ His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; 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 permit the righteous to be moved.

²³ But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee.