Psalms 55

1For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David. Give ear, O God, to my prayer; And hide not Thyself from my supplication.

2Attend unto me, and answer me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;

3Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast mischief upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

4My heart doth writhe within me; And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

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

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

8I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.’

9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

11Wickedness is in the midst thereof; Oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.

12For it was not an enemy that taunted me, Then I could have borne it; Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, Then I would have hid myself from him.

13But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend;

14We took sweet counsel together, In the house of God we walked with the throng.

15May He incite death against them, Let them go down alive into the nether-world; For evil is in their dwelling, and within them.

16As for me, I will call upon God; And YHWH shall save me.

17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; And He hath heard my voice.

18He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; For they were many that strove with me.

19God shall hear, and humble them, Even He that is enthroned of old, Selah Such as have no changes, And fear not God.

20He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; He hath profaned his covenant.

21Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet were they keen-edged swords.

22Cast thy burden upon YHWH, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; Men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; But as for me, I will trust in Thee.