55:2 \55:1\To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication!
55:3 \55:2\Attend to me, and answer me; I am overcome by my trouble. I am distraught
55:4 \55:3\by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me.
55:5 \55:4\My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
55:6 \55:5\Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.
55:7 \55:6\And I say, "O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
55:8 \55:7\yea, I would wander afar, I would lodge in the wilderness, [Selah]
55:9 \55:8\I would haste to find me a shelter from the raging wind and tempest."
55:10 \55:9\Destroy their plans, O Lord, confuse their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city.
55:11 \55:10\Day and night they go around it on its walls; and mischief and trouble are within it,
55:12 \55:11\ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its market place.
55:13 \55:12\It is not an enemy who taunts me--then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me--then I could hide from him.
55:14 \55:13\But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
55:15 \55:14\We used to hold sweet converse together; within God's house we walked in fellowship.
55:16 \55:15\Let death come upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive; let them go away in terror into their graves.
55:17 \55:16\But I call upon God; and the LORD will save me.
55:18 \55:17\Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice.
55:19 \55:18\He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
55:20 \55:19\God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God. [Selah]
55:21 \55:20\My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant.
55:22 \55:21\His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
55:23 \55:22\Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
55:24 \55:23\But thou, O God, wilt cast them down into the lowest pit; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in thee.
