55:1  Give ear to my prayer, O God; And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

55:2  Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,

55:3  Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

55:4  My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

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

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

55:7  "Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.

55:8  "I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind {and} tempest."

55:9  Confuse, O Lord, divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

55:10  Day and night they go around her upon her walls, And iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

55:11  Destruction is in her midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets.

55:12  For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear {it;} Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.

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

55:14  We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng.

55:15  Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.

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

55:17  Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.

55:18  He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle {which is} against me, For they are many {who strive} with me.

55:19  God will hear and answer them-- Even the one who sits enthroned from of old-- Selah. With whom there is no change, And who do not fear God.

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

55:21  His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; 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 shaken.

55:23  But 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.