Psalm 55

Betrayal by a Friend

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic * Maskil.

1 God, listen to my prayer

and do not ignore w my plea for help. x

2 Pay attention to me and answer me. y

I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint, z

3 because of the enemy’s voice,

because of the pressure a of the wicked.

For they bring down disaster on me b

and harass me in anger. c

4 My heart shudders within me; d

terrors of death sweep over me.

5 Fear and trembling grip me;

horror has overwhelmed me. e

6 I said, “If only I had f wings like a dove!

I would fly away and find rest. g

7 How far away I would flee;

I would stay in the wilderness. h * Selah

8 I would hurry to my shelter

from the raging wind and the storm.” i

9 Lord, confuse j and confound their speech, k l

for I see violence and strife in the city;

10 day and night they make the rounds on its walls.

Crime and trouble are within it; m

11 destruction is inside it;

oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace. n

12 Now it is not an enemy who insults me—

otherwise I could bear it;

it is not a foe who rises up against me—

otherwise I could hide from him.

13 But it is you, a man who is my peer,

my companion and good friend! o

14 We used to have close fellowship;

we walked with the crowd into the house of God. p

15 Let death take them by surprise; q

let them go down to * Sheol alive,

because evil is in their homes and within them. r

16 But I call to God,

and the Lord will save me. s

17 I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, t

and He hears my voice. u

18 Though many are against me,

He will redeem me from my battle unharmed. v

19 God, the One enthroned from long ago, w

will hear and will humiliate them Selah

because they do not change

and do not * fear God. x

20 My friend y acts violently

against those at peace with him; z

he violates his covenant. a

21 His buttery words are smooth, b

but war is in his heart.

His words are softer than oil,

but they are drawn swords. c

22 Cast your burden on the Lord,

and He will sustain you; d

He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. e

23 God, You will bring them down

to the * Pit of destruction; f

men of bloodshed and treachery

will not live out half their days. g

But I will trust in You. h