Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible

Psalms Chapter 55 (Revised Standard Version)

Psalms 55

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication!
2 Attend to me, and answer me; I am overcome by my trouble. I am distraught
3 by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me.
4 My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
7 yea, I would wander afar, I would lodge in the wilderness, [Selah]
8 I would haste to find me a shelter from the raging wind and tempest."
9 Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it,
11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place.
12 It is not an enemy who taunts me -- then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me -- then I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14 We used to hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship.
15 Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves.
16 But I call upon God; and the LORD will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice.
18 He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
19 God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [Selah]
20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant.
21 His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee.