Psalm 55

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.
1.Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.55-155-2
2.Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3.Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4.My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5.Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed55-3 me.
6.And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7.Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8.I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9.Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10.Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11.Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12.For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13.But it was thou, a man mine equal55-4, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14.We55-5 took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15.Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell55-6: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16.As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
17.Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18.He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19.God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because55-7 they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20.He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken55-8 his covenant.
21.The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22.Cast thy burden55-9 upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23.But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody55-10 and deceitful men shall55-11 not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Notes

55-1.
chief... or, overseer
55-2.
Maschil or, of instruction
55-3.
overwhelmed Heb. covered
55-4.
mine equal Heb. according to my rank
55-5.
We... Heb. Who sweetened counsel
55-6.
hell or, the grave
55-7.
Because... or, With whom also there be no changes, yet they
55-8.
broken Heb. profaned
55-9.
burden or, gift
55-10.
bloody... Heb. men of bloods and deceit
55-11.
shall... Heb. shall not half their days