Psalms 55:1-17

1Listen to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my plea.

2Listen to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and distracted

3Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble on me, And in anger they persecute me.

4My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5Fear and trembling have come upon me; Horror has overwhelmed me.

6And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7I would wander far away, I would lodge in the [peace of the] wilderness. Selah.

8I would hurry to my refuge [my tranquil shelter far away] From the stormy wind and from the tempest.”

9Confuse [my enemies], O Lord, divide their tongues [destroying their schemes], For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10Day and night they go around her walls; Wickedness and mischief are in her midst.

11Destruction is within her; Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets and market places.

12For it is not an enemy who taunts me— Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who has hated me who insolently exalts himself against me— Then I could hide from him.

13But it is you, a man my equal and my counsel, My companion and my familiar friend;

14We who had sweet fellowship together, Who walked to the house of God in company.

15Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), For evil [of every kind] is in their dwelling and in their hearts, in their midst.

16As for me, I shall call upon God, And the Lord will save me.

17Evening and morning and at noon I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.