55:1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song ²  by David.

Listen, O God, to my prayer!

Do not ignore ³  my appeal for mercy!

55:2 Pay attention to me and answer me!

I am so upset ⁴  and distressed, ⁵  I am beside myself, ⁶ 

55:3 because of what the enemy says, ⁷ 

and because of how the wicked ⁸  pressure me, ⁹ 

for they hurl trouble ¹⁰  down upon me ¹¹ 

and angrily attack me.

55:4 My heart beats violently ¹²  within me;

the horrors of death overcome me. ¹³ 

55:5 Fear and panic overpower me; ¹⁴ 

terror overwhelms ¹⁵  me.

55:6 I say, ¹⁶  “I wish I had wings like a dove!

I would fly away and settle in a safe place!

55:7 Look, I will escape to a distant place;

I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)

55:8 I will hurry off to a place that is safe

from the strong wind ¹⁷  and the gale.”

55:9 Confuse them, ¹⁸  O Lord!

Frustrate their plans! ¹⁹ 

For I see violence and conflict in the city.

55:10 Day and night they walk around on its walls, ²⁰ 

while wickedness and destruction ²¹  are within it.

55:11 Disaster is within it;

violence ²²  and deceit do not depart from its public square.

55:12 Indeed, ²³  it is not an enemy who insults me,

or else I could bear it;

it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, ²⁴ 

or else I could hide from him.

55:13 But it is you, ²⁵  a man like me, ²⁶ 

my close friend in whom I confided. ²⁷ 

55:14 We would share personal thoughts with each other; ²⁸ 

in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd.

55:15 May death destroy them! ²⁹ 

May they go down alive into Sheol! ³⁰ 

For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.

55:16 As for me, I will call out to God,

and the Lord will deliver me.

55:17 During the evening, morning, and noontime

I will lament and moan, ³¹ 

and he will hear ³²  me. ³³ 

55:18 He will rescue ³⁴  me and protect me from those who attack me, ³⁵ 

even though ³⁶  they greatly outnumber me. ³⁷ 

55:19 God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago,

will hear and humiliate them. ³⁸  (Selah)

They refuse to change,

and do not fear God. ³⁹ 

55:20 He ⁴⁰  attacks ⁴¹  his friends; ⁴² 

he breaks his solemn promises to them. ⁴³ 

55:21 His words are as smooth as butter, ⁴⁴ 

but he harbors animosity in his heart. ⁴⁵ 

His words seem softer than oil,

but they are really like sharp swords. ⁴⁶ 

55:22 Throw your burden ⁴⁷  upon the Lord,

and he will sustain you. ⁴⁸ 

He will never allow the godly to be upended. ⁴⁹ 

55:23 But you, O God, will bring them ⁵⁰  down to the deep Pit. ⁵¹ 

Violent and deceitful people ⁵²  will not live even half a normal lifespan. ⁵³ 

But as for me, I trust in you.