Psalms 55
Theme: Expressing deep dismay over the treachery of a close friend. When friends hurt us, the burden is too difficult to carry alone.
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.
1Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. +
2Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; +
3Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. +
4My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. +
5Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. +
6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. +
7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. +
9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. +
10Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. +
12For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: +
13But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. +
15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. +
16As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. +
17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. +
18He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. +
19God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. +
20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. +
21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. +
22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. +
23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. +