Psalms 55 — NETB

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David.

55Verse 1Listen, O God, to my prayer!
Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!
^{Verse 2}Pay attention to me and answer me!
I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself,
^{Verse 3}because of what the enemy says,
and because of how the wicked pressure me,
for they hurl trouble down upon me
and angrily attack me.
^{Verse 4}My heart beats violently within me;
the horrors of death overcome me.
^{Verse 5}Fear and panic overpower me;
terror overwhelms me.
^{Verse 6}I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
^{Verse 7}Look, I will escape to a distant place;
I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
^{Verse 8}I will hurry off to a place that is safe
from the strong wind and the gale.”
^{Verse 9}Confuse them, O Lord!
Frustrate their plans!
For I see violence and conflict in the city.
^{Verse 10}Day and night they walk around on its walls,
while wickedness and destruction are within it.
^{Verse 11}Disaster is within it;
violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
^{Verse 12}Indeed, 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,
or else I could hide from him.
^{Verse 13}But it is you, a man like me,
my close friend in whom I confided.
^{Verse 14}We would share personal thoughts with each other;
in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.
^{Verse 15}May death destroy them!
May they go down alive into Sheol!
For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.
^{Verse 16}As for me, I will call out to God,
and the Lord will deliver me.
^{Verse 17}During the evening, morning, and noontime
I will lament and moan,
and he will hear me.
^{Verse 18}He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me,
even though they greatly outnumber me.
^{Verse 19}God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago,
will hear and humiliate them. (Selah)
They refuse to change,
and do not fear God.
^{Verse 20}He attacks his friends;
he breaks his solemn promises to them.
^{Verse 21}His words are as smooth as butter,
but he harbors animosity in his heart.
His words seem softer than oil,
but they are really like sharp swords.
^{Verse 22}Throw your burden upon the Lord,
and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the godly to be upended.
^{Verse 23}But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit.
Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan.
But as for me, I trust in you.