55:1  

  • To the Chief Musician. For stringed instruments. A contemplation. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication.
  • 55:2  Attend to me, and answer me; I am distraught in my trouble and moan in my complaint

    55:3  Because of the voice of the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked—for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they hate me.

    55:4  My heart is pained within me; and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

    55:5  Fear and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

    55:6  And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

    55:7  Lo, then I would wander far off; I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.

    55:8  I would hasten to a place of shelter from the windy storm and tempest."

    55:9  Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

    55:10  They go around her upon her walls by day and night; and iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

    55:11  Wickedness is in her midst; oppression and guile will not depart from her streets,

    55:12  For it is not an enemy who reviled me—then I could have borne it. It is not one who hates me who magnified himself against me—or I would hide myself from him.

    55:13  But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.

    55:14  We took sweet counsel together and walked into the house of God with the throng.

    55:15  Let death take hold upon them, and let them go down alive into the grave; for evil is among them and in their dwellings.

    55:16  As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me.

    55:17  Evening and morning, and at noon, I will cry aloud in my distress; and He shall hear my voice.

    55:18  He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me.

    55:19  God shall hear and afflict them, even He who is enthroned of old. Selah. Those who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

    55:20  He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant.

    55:21  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

    55:22  Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

    55:23  But You, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction; bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days but I will trust in You.