Psalm, 55

To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Masʹkil.^*1 Of David.

¹ Listen to my prayer, O God, And do not ignore my request for mercy.^*1

² Do pay attention to me and answer me. My concern makes me restless, And I am distraught

³ Because of what the enemy is saying And the pressure from the wicked one. For they heap trouble upon me, And in anger they harbor animosity against me.

⁴ My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death overwhelm me.

⁵ Fear and trembling come upon me, And shuddering grips me.

⁶ I keep saying: “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and reside in safety.

⁷ Look! I would flee far away. I would lodge in the wilderness. (Selah)

⁸ I would hurry to a place of shelter Away from the raging wind, away from the storm.”

⁹ Confuse them, O Jehovah, and frustrate their plans,^*1 For I have seen violence and conflict in the city.

¹⁰ Day and night they walk around on its walls; Within it are malice and trouble.

¹¹ Ruin is in its midst; Oppression and deception never depart from its public square.

¹² For it is not an enemy who taunts me; Otherwise I could put up with it. It is not a foe who has risen up against me; Otherwise I could conceal myself from him.

¹³ But it is you, a man like me,^*1 My own companion whom I know well.

¹⁴ We used to enjoy a warm friendship together; Into the house of God we used to walk along with the multitude.

¹⁵ May destruction overtake them! Let them go down alive into the Grave;^*1 For evil resides among them and within them.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call out to God, And Jehovah will save me.

¹⁷ Evening and morning and noontime, I am troubled and I groan,^*1 And he hears my voice.

¹⁸ He will rescue^*1 me and give me^*2 peace from those fighting against me, For multitudes come against me.

¹⁹ God will hear and respond to them, The one who sits enthroned from of old. (Selah) They will refuse to change, Those who have not feared God.

²⁰ He^*1 attacked those at peace with him; He violated his covenant.

²¹ His words are smoother than butter, But conflict is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, But they are drawn swords.

²² Throw your burden on Jehovah, And he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.^*1

²³ But you, O God, will bring them down to the deepest pit. Those bloodguilty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I will trust in you.