Psalm 5516

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song17 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 me9

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 Lord!

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 Indeed,21 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 lifespan.51

But as for me, I trust in you.