Psalms 55
The psalmist cries out to God in distress, feeling overwhelmed by the voice of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked, who have cast iniquity upon him and hate him with wrath. He longs to escape the turmoil and find rest, but instead, he is surrounded by violence and strife in the city. The psalmist is particularly grieved because the one who has wronged him is a close friend and acquaintance, who has broken their covenant and spoken deceitful words. Despite this, the psalmist trusts in God to deliver him and bring down his enemies, and he exhorts others to cast their burdens upon the Lord, who will sustain them.
1Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.2Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;3Because 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.4My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.5Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.8I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.10Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.11Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.12For 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:13But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.14We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.16As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.18He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.19God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.21The 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.22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.23But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
Share this chapter