Psalms 55
1 For the director of music, with stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
2 Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my plea.
3 Pay attention to me and answer me; I am restless in my lament and groan aloud.
4 It is because of the enemy’s voice, under the pressure of the wicked; they bring trouble down on me and hate me in their fury.
5 My heart twists within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6 Fear and trembling have come over me, and horror has covered me.
7 And I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
8 I would flee far away; I would spend the night in the wilderness. Selah.
9 I would hurry to find shelter, far from the sweeping wind, far from the storm.”
10 Destroy them, Lord; divide their tongues, for I see violence and strife in the city.
11 Day and night they circle it on its walls; wickedness and oppression are within it.
12 Ruin is within it; oppression and deceit do not leave its public square.
13 It is not an enemy who insults me—that I could bear; it is not someone who hates me who rises against me—I could hide from him.
14 But it is you, a man like me, my close friend and acquaintance.
15 Together we had good conversation; we walked among the crowd in the house of God.
16 May death take them by surprise; may they go down alive to Sheol, for wickedness is in their dwelling, right among them.
17 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.
18 Evening, morning, and noon I complain and groan, and he hears my voice.
19 He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle against me, for many were arrayed against me.
20 God will hear and humble them—he who is enthroned from of old. Selah. They do not change, and they do not fear God.
21 He raised his hands against those who lived at peace with him; he profaned his covenant.
22 His mouth is smoother than butter, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
23 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
24 But you, O God, will bring bloodthirsty and deceitful men down to the pit of destruction; they will not live out half their days. But I trust in you.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app