Psalm 55¹⁶

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David.
55:1 Listen, O God, to my prayer!
Do not ignore¹ my appeal for mercy!
55:2 Pay attention to me and answer me!
I am so upset² and distressed,³ I am beside myself,⁴
55:3 because of what the enemy says,⁵
and because of how the wicked⁶ pressure me,⁷
for they hurl trouble⁸ down upon me,⁹
and angrily attack me.
55:4 My heart beats violently¹⁰ within me,
the horrors of death overcome me.¹¹
55:5 Fear and panic overpower me,¹²
terror overwhelms¹³ me.
55:6 I say,¹⁴ “I wish I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
55:7 Look, I will escape to a distant place,
I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
55:8 I will hurry off to a place that is safe
from the strong wind¹⁵ and the gale.”
55:9 Confuse them,¹⁶ O sovereign master!
Frustrate their plans!¹⁷
For I see violence and conflict in the city.
55:10 Day and night they walk around on its walls,¹⁸
while wickedness and destruction¹⁹ are within it.
55:11 Disaster is within it,
violence²⁰ and deceit do not depart from its public square.
55:12 Indeed²¹ it is not an enemy who insults me,
or else I could bear it;
it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me,²²
or else I could hide from him.
55:13 But it is you,²³ a man like me,²⁴
my close friend in whom I confided.²⁵
55:14 We would share personal thoughts with each other,²⁶
in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.
55:15 May death destroy them!²⁷
May they go down alive into Sheol!²⁸
For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
55:16 As for me, I will call out to God,
and the LORD will deliver me.
55:17 During the evening, morning and noontime
I will lament and moan,²⁹
and he will hear³⁰ me.³¹
55:18 He will rescue³² me and protect me from those who attack me,³³
even though³⁴ they greatly outnumber me.³⁵
55:19 God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago,
will hear and humiliate them.³⁶ (Selah)
They refuse to change,
and do not fear God.³⁷
55:20 He³⁸ attacks³⁹ his friends,⁴⁰
he breaks his solemn promises to them.⁴¹
55:21 His words are as smooth as butter,⁴²
but he harbors animosity in his heart.⁴³
His words seem softer than oil,
but they are really like sharp swords.⁴⁴
55:22 Throw your burden⁴⁵ upon the LORD,
and he will sustain you.⁴⁶
He will never allow the godly to be upended.⁴⁷
55:23 But you, O God, will bring them⁴⁸ down to the deep Pit,⁴⁹
Violent and deceitful people⁵⁰ will not live even half a normal life span.⁵¹
But as for me, I trust in you.