Psalm 55

Psalm 55

For the director of music. A maskil of David to be played on stringed instruments.

¹God, listen to my prayer.

Pay attention to my cry for help.

²Hear me and answer me.

My thoughts upset me. I’m very troubled.

³I’m troubled by what my enemies say about me.

I’m upset because sinful people stare at me.

They cause me all kinds of suffering.

When they are angry, they attack me with their words.

⁴I feel great pain deep down inside me.

The terrors of death are crushing me.

⁵Fear and trembling have taken hold of me.

Panic has overpowered me.

⁶I said, “I wish I had wings like a dove!

Then I would fly away and be at rest.

⁷I would escape to a place far away.

I would stay out in the desert. Selah

⁸I would hurry to my place of safety.

It would be far away from the winds and storms I’m facing.”

⁹Lord, destroy the plans of sinners. Keep them from understanding one another.

I see people destroying things and fighting in the city.

¹⁰Day and night they prowl around on top of its walls.

The city is full of crime and trouble.

¹¹Forces that destroy are at work inside it.

Its streets are full of people who cheat others and take advantage of them.

¹²If an enemy were making fun of me,

I could stand it.

If he were looking down on me,

I could hide from him.

¹³But it’s you, someone like myself.

It’s my companion, my close friend.

¹⁴We used to enjoy good friendship

as we walked with the crowds at the house of God.

¹⁵Let death take my enemies by surprise.

Let them be buried alive,

because their hearts and homes are full of evil.

¹⁶But I call out to God.

And the Lord saves me.

¹⁷Evening, morning and noon

I groan and cry out.

And he hears my voice.

¹⁸Even though many enemies are fighting against me,

he brings me safely back from the battle.

¹⁹God sits on his throne forever.

He hears my prayers and makes my enemies suffer. Selah

They never change their ways.

They don’t have any respect for God.

²⁰My companion attacks his friends.

He breaks his promise.

²¹His talk is as smooth as butter.

But he has war in his heart.

His words flow like olive oil.

But they are like swords ready for battle.

²²Turn your worries over to the Lord.

He will keep you going.

He will never let godly people fall.

²³God, you will bring sinners

down to the grave.

Murderers and liars

won’t live out even half of their lives.

But I trust in you.