Psalms 55

1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

2 Attend to me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan;

3 Because 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.

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

4 My heart is greatly pained within me: and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! for then I would fly away, and be at rest.

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

7 Lo, then I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. (Selah)

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

8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

I would haste me to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Destroy, O Lord, [and] divide their tongue: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go about her upon her walls: mischief also and sorrow are in her midst.

Day and night they go about upon the walls thereof: iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

11 Wickedness is in her midst: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

Wickedness is in the midst thereof: oppression and guile depart not from her streets.

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that magnified himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

For 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:

13 But it was thou, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.

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

15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down alive into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. (Sheol h7585)

Let death come suddenly upon them, let them go down alive into the pit: for wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. (Sheol h7585)

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan: and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for they were many [that strove] with me.

19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. (Selah) Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

God shall hear, and answer them, even he that abideth of old, (Selah) [the men] who have no changes, and who fear not God.

20 He hath put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: he hath profaned his covenant.

21 The 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.

His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never allow the righteous to be moved.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23 But 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.

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.