Psalms 55 · תהילים

To the chief Musician for strings, A Maskil of David.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.

Attend to me, and answer me: I sob in my complaint, and make moan;

because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.

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

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

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

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

I would hasten to find a refuge for myself from the windy storm and the tempest.

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

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

Wickedness is in the midst of it: oppression and fraud depart not from her streets.

For it was not an enemy who taunted me; then I could have borne it: nor was it one who hated me who did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

but it was Thou, a man my equal, my companion, and my familiar friend.

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

Let death spread its oblivion upon them, and let them go down alive into She᾽ol: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

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

Evening, and morning, and at noon, I pray, and cry aloud: and he hears my voice.

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

God who is enthroned from olden time, shall hear and afflict them (Sela;) those who dread no changes, and do not fear God.

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

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

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

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.