Psalm 55

77.77 D

1Listen to my prayer, O God,
And do not ignore my plea.
2Hear and answer, for my thoughts
do dismay and trouble me,
3At the voice of enemies,
At the stares of wicked ones;
They bring suff’ring down on me,
Their sharp taunts are never done.

4My heart is in anguish sore,
Death’s great terrors assail me.
5Fear and trembling plague me more,
Horror has o’ertaken me.
6I said, “Oh, that I could fly
far away and be at rest!
7I would flee far as the sky,Selah
8Shelter far from storm’s tempest.”

9Lord, confuse them and confound
words they speak and deeds they do;
Violent strife is all around,
In the city through and through.
10Day and night they prowl about
on its walls and all within;
11They destroy and loot and rout,
Streets are filled with lies and sin.

12If a foe or enemy
insults me, I’ll take from him
anything he says ’gainst me;
I could hide myself from him.
13But it’s you, my closest friend—
14You with whom I walked abroad,
Had sweet friendship without end,
Even in the house of God.

15Let death take my enemies
by surprise, their life grow dim;
Let the grave their life now seize—
Evil finds its home with them.
16But I call to God alone;
The Lord saves me in distress.
17Evening, morning, and at noon,
I cry out—He hears, gives rest.

18 He will ransom me unharmed
from the battle waged ’gainst me;
Though I was opposed, alarmed;
Though my foes were vast, many.
19God, who is enthroned always,
Will afflict them with His rod;Selah
For they never change their ways
and they have no fear of God.

20My companion sacks his friends,
Violates his covenant;
His attacking never ends,
Evil from his heart is sent.
21Speech is smooth as butter sweet,
But his heart is only war;
Words are soothing he repeats,
But they carry a drawn sword.

22Cast your cares upon the Lord;
He’ll sustain you when you call.
He will ever keep His word;
Never let the righteous fall.
23But God, You will act always
to bring wicked ones their due;
They won’t live out half their days,
As for me, I trust in You.