Psalm 55

For the choir director: A psalm^a of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

¹Listen to my prayer, O God.

Do not ignore my cry for help!

²Please listen and answer me,

for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

³My enemies shout at me,

making loud and wicked threats.

They bring trouble on me

and angrily hunt me down.

⁴My heart pounds in my chest.

The terror of death assaults me.

⁵Fear and trembling overwhelm me,

and I can’t stop shaking.

⁶Oh, that I had wings like a dove;

then I would fly away and rest!

⁷I would fly far away

to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude

⁸How quickly I would escape—

far from this wild storm of hatred.

⁹Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,

for I see violence and conflict in the city.

¹⁰Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,

but the real danger is wickedness within the city.

¹¹Everything is falling apart;

threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.

¹²It is not an enemy who taunts me—

I could bear that.

It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—

I could have hidden from them.

¹³Instead, it is you—my equal,

my companion and close friend.

¹⁴What good fellowship we once enjoyed

as we walked together to the house of God.

¹⁵Let death stalk my enemies;

let the grave^b swallow them alive,

for evil makes its home within them.

¹⁶But I will call on God,

and the Lord will rescue me.

¹⁷Morning, noon, and night

I cry out in my distress,

and the Lord hears my voice.

¹⁸He ransoms me and keeps me safe

from the battle waged against me,

though many still oppose me.

¹⁹God, who has ruled forever,

will hear me and humble them. Interlude

For my enemies refuse to change their ways;

they do not fear God.

²⁰As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;

he broke his promises.

²¹His words are as smooth as butter,

but in his heart is war.

His words are as soothing as lotion,

but underneath are daggers!

²²Give your burdens to the Lord,

and he will take care of you.

He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

²³But you, O God, will send the wicked

down to the pit of destruction.

Murderers and liars will die young,

but I am trusting you to save me.