Psalm 55:1–11

The Prayer of a Man Betrayed by a Friendq

55 Hear my prayer, O God;

don’t turn away from my plea!

2 Listen to me and answer me;

I am worn out by my worries.

3 I am terrified by the threats of my enemies,

crushed by the oppression of the wicked.

They bring trouble on me;

they are angry with me and hate me.

4 I am terrified,

and the terrors of death crush me.

5 I am gripped by fear and trembling;

I am overcome with horror.

6 I wish I had wings, like a dove.

I would fly away and find rest.

7 I would fly far away

and make my home in the desert.

8 I would quickly find myself a shelter

from the raging wind and the storm.

9 Confuse the speech of my enemies, O Lord!

I see violence and riots in the city,

10 surrounding it day and night, filling it with crime and trouble.

11 There is destruction everywhere;

the streets are full of oppression and fraud.