Psalm 55

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

1Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.footnote afootnote b

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

3Because 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.

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

5Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.footnote c

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

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

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

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

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

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

12For 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:

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

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

15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.footnote f

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

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

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

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

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

21The 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.

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

23But 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.footnote jfootnote k

Cast Your Burden upon the LORD

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

1Listen to my prayer, O God,and do not ignore my plea. 2Attend to me and answer me.I am restless in my complaint,and distraught 3at the voice of the enemy,at the pressure of the wicked.For they bring down disaster upon meand resent me in their anger.

4My heart pounds within me,and the terrors of death assail me. 5Fear and trembling grip me,and horror has overwhelmed me. 6I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!I would fly away and find rest. 7How far away I would flee!In the wilderness I would remain.Selah 8I would hurry to my shelter,far from this raging tempest.”

9O Lord, confuse and confound their speech,for I see violence and strife in the city. 10Day and night they encircle the walls,while malice and trouble lie within. 11Destruction is within;oppression and deceit never leave the streets.

12For it is not an enemy who insults me;that I could endure.It is not a foe who rises against me;from him I could hide. 13But it is you, a man like myself,my companion and close friend. 14We shared sweet fellowship together;we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

15Let death seize them by surprise;let them go down to Sheol alive,for evil is with them in their homes. 16But I call to God,and the LORD saves me. 17Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress,and He hears my voice. 18He redeems my soul in peacefrom the battle waged against me,even though many oppose me. 19God will hear and humiliate them—the One enthroned for the ages—Selahbecause they do not changeand they have no fear of God.

20My companion attacks his friends;he violates his covenant. 21His speech is smooth as butter,but war is in his heart.His words are softer than oil,yet they are swords unsheathed.

22Cast your burden upon the LORDand He will sustain you;He will never let the righteous be shaken. 23But You, O God, will bring them downto the Pit of destruction;men of bloodshed and deceitwill not live out half their days.But I will trust in You.