Psalm 55

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Psalm 55 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil ^[1] of David.

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Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

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hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

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at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.

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My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.

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Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

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I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--

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I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah

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I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

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Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.

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Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.

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Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.

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If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.

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But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,

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with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

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Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, ^[2] for evil finds lodging among them.

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But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

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Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

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He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

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God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-- Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

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My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

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His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

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Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

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But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

1. [Title: Probably a literary or musical term
2. [15] Hebrew Sheol