For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

1 God, listen to my prayer

and do not hide from my plea for help.  * 55:1 Lm 3:56

2 Pay attention to me and answer me.  * 55:1–2 Ps 4:1; 5:1–2; 54:2

I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,  * 55:2 Ps 64:1; 142:2

3 because of the enemy’s words,  * 55:3 Lit voice

because of the pressure  * 55:3 Or threat, or oppression of the wicked.

For they bring down disaster on me

and harass me in anger.  * 55:3 2Sm 16:7–8; Ps 71:11

4 My heart shudders within me;  * 55:4 Ps 38:8

terrors of death sweep over me.

5 Fear and trembling grip me;

horror has overwhelmed me.  * 55:4–5 Ps 18:4–5; 116:3

6 I said, "If only I had wings like a dove!

I would fly away and find rest.  * 55:6 Jb 3:13

7 How far away I would flee;

I would stay in the wilderness.  * 55:7 Jr 9:2Selah

8 I would hurry to my shelter

from the raging wind and the storm."  * 55:8 Is 4:6; 25:4

9 Lord, confuse  * 55:9 Or destroy and confound their speech,  * 55:9 Lit and divide their tongue,* 55:9 Gn 10:25; 11:7

for I see violence and strife in the city;

10 day and night they make the rounds on its walls.

Crime and trouble are within it;  * 55:9–10 Jr 6:7; Hab 1:3

11 destruction is inside it;

oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace.  * 55:11 Ps 5:9; 10:7

12 Now it is not an enemy who insults me —

otherwise I could bear it;

it is not a foe who rises up against me —

otherwise I could hide from him.

13 But it is you, a man who is my peer,

my companion and good friend!  * 55:12–13 Jb 19:13,19; Ps 41:9; 88:18

14 We used to have close fellowship;

we walked with the crowd into the house of God.  * 55:14 Ps 42:4

15 Let death take them by surprise;  * 55:15 Pr 6:15; Is 47:11; 1Th 5:3

let them go down to Sheol alive,

because evil is in their homes and within them.  * 55:15 Nm 16:30,33

16 But I call to God,

and the Lord will save me.  * 55:16 Ps 119:46

17 I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,  * 55:17 Ps 92:2

and he hears my voice.  * 55:17 Ps 64:1; 142:2

18 Though many are against me,

he will redeem me from my battle unharmed.  * 55:18 Ps 56:2; 103:4

19 God, the one enthroned from long ago,  * 55:19 Ps 93:2

will hear and will humiliate them Selah

because they do not change

and do not fear God.  * 55:19 Dt 33:27

20 My friend  * 55:20 Ps 55:13 acts violently

against those at peace with him;  * 55:20 Ps 7:4

he violates his covenant.  * 55:20 Ps 89:34

21 His buttery words are smooth,

but war is in his heart.

His words are softer than oil,

but they are drawn swords.  * 55:21 Ps 12:2; 28:3

22 Cast your burden on the  Lord,

and he will sustain you;  * 55:22 1Pt 5:7

he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.  * 55:22 Ps 37:24; 112:6

23 God, you will bring them down

to the Pit of destruction;  * 55:23 Is 38:17; Ezk 28:8

men of bloodshed and treachery

will not live out half their days.  * 55:23 Ps 5:6

But I will trust in you.  * 55:23 Ps 56:3