Psalm 55

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

1        Lord, hear my pray'r, hide not thyself

                   from my entreating voice:

2        Attend and hear me; in my plaint

                   I mourn and make a noise.

3        Because of th' en'my's voice, and for

                   lewd men's oppression great:

          On me they cast iniquity,

                   and they in wrath me hate.

4        Sore pain'd within me is my heart:

                   death's terrors on me fall.

5        On me comes trembling, fear and dread

                   o'erwhelmed me withal.

6        O that I, like a dove, had wings,

                   said I, then would I flee

          Far hence, that I might find a place

                   where I in rest might be.

7        Lo, then far off I wander would,

                   and in the desert stay;

8        From windy storm and tempest I

                   would haste to 'scape away.

9        O Lord, on them destruction bring,

                   and do their tongues divide;

          For in the city violence

                   and strife I have espy'd.

10      They day and night upon the walls

                   do go about it round:

          There mischief is, and sorrow there

                   in midst of it is found.

11      Abundant wickedness there is

                   within her inward part;

          And from her streets deceitfulness

                   and guile do not depart.

12      He was no foe that me reproach'd,

                   then that endure I could;

          Nor hater that did 'gainst me boast,

                   from him me hide I would.

13      But thou, man, who mine equal, guide,

                   and mine acquaintance wast:

14      We join'd sweet counsels, to God's house

                   in company we past.

15      Let death upon them seize, and down

                   let them go quick to hell;

          For wickedness doth much abound

                   among them where they dwell.

16      I'll call on God: God will me save.

17               I'll pray, and make a noise

          At ev'ning, morning, and at noon;

                   and he shall hear my voice.

18      He hath my soul delivered,

                   that it in peace might be

          From battle that against me was;

                   for many were with me.

19      The Lord shall hear, and them afflict,

                   of old who hath abode:

          Because they never changes have,

                   therefore they fear not God.

20      'Gainst those that were at peace with him

                   he hath put forth his hand:

          The covenant that he had made,

                   by breaking he profan'd.

21      More smooth than butter were his words,

                   while in his heart was war;

          His speeches were more soft than oil,

                   and yet drawn swords they are.

22      Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,

                   and he shall thee sustain;

          Yea, he shall cause the righteous man

                   unmoved to remain.

23      But thou, O Lord my God, those men

                   in justice shalt o'erthrow,

          And in destruction's dungeon dark

                   at last shalt lay them low:

          The bloody and deceitful men

                   shall not live half their days:

          But upon thee with confidence

                   I will depend always.