Psalm 55
Exaudi, Deus
1
Hear my prayer, O God *
and hide not thyself from my petition.
2
Take heed unto me, and hear me *
how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
3
The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast *
for they are minded to do me some mischief; so maliciously are they set against me.
4
My heart is disquieted within me *
and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me *
and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
6
And I said, O that I had wings like a dove *
for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7
Lo, then would I get me away far off *
and remain in the wilderness.
8
I would make haste to escape *
because of the stormy wind and tempest.
9
Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them *
for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
10
Day and night they go about within the walls thereof *
mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11
Wickedness is therein *
deceit and guile go not out of their streets.
12
For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour *
for then I could have borne it.
13
Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me *
for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.
14
But it was even thou, my companion *
my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
15
We took sweet counsel together *
and walked in the house of God as friends.
16
Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17
As for me, I will call upon God *
and the Lord shall save me.
18
In the evening, and morning, and at noonday will I pray, and that instantly *
and he shall hear my voice.
19
It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me *
for there were many with me.
20
Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down *
for they will not turn, nor fear God.
21
He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him *
and he brake his covenant.
22
The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart *
his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
23
O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee *
and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
24
And as for them *
thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
25
The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days *
nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.