Psalms 55 David complains of the malice of his enemies; he continues in prayer, and casts his burden on the Lord

 Psalms 55

David complains of the malice of his enemies; he continues in prayer, and casts his burden on the Lord

1 Give ear, O God, to my prayer, and do not hide yourself from my supplication.

2 Give attention to me, and hear me; I lament and roar.

3 Because of the outcry of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast iniquity upon me, and hate me in wrath.

4 My heart is in agony within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5 Fear and trembling have come upon me, and horror has covered me.

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

7 Behold, I would flee far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.

8 I would hasten to escape the raging wind and the storm.

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

10 Day and night they walk around it on its walls; iniquity and wickedness are in its midst.

11 Wickedness is within it; craftiness and deceit do not depart from its streets.

12 For it was not an enemy who reproached me, then I could have borne it; nor was it my hater who magnified himself against me, then I could have hidden myself from him.

13 But it was you, a man equal to me, my guide and my close friend.

14 We used to do good together, and we went with the multitude to the house of God.

15 Let death seize them, and let the earth swallow them up alive, for wickedness is in their dwellings and in their own midst.

16 But I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me. 

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

18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the war against me, for there were many against me.

19 God will hear, and he who has been president of old will afflict them, because there is no change in them, and they do not fear God.

20 They have laid hands on those who were at peace with him; they have broken his covenant.

21 Their mouth was smoother than butter, but war was in their heart; their words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be moved.

23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.