Psalm 55

Betrayal by a Friend

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.

God, listen to my prayer

and do not hide from my plea for help.a

2Pay attention to me and answer me.a

I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,b

3because of the enemy’s words,A

because of the pressureB of the wicked.

For they bring down disaster on me

and harass me in anger.a

4My heart shudders within me;a

terrors of death sweep over me.

5Fear and trembling grip me;

horror has overwhelmed me.a

6I said, “If only I had wings like a dove!

I would fly away and find rest.a

7How far away I would flee;

I would stay in the wilderness.a

Selah

8I would hurry to my shelter

from the raging wind and the storm.”a

9Lord, confuseA and confound their speech,B a

for I see violence and strife in the city;

10day and night they make the rounds on its walls.

Crime and trouble are within it;a

11destruction is inside it;

oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace.a

12Now it is not an enemy who insults me —

otherwise I could bear it;

it is not a foe who rises up against me —

otherwise I could hide from him.

13But it is you, a man who is my peer,

my companion and good friend!a

14We used to have close fellowship;

we walked with the crowd into the house of God.a

15Let death take them by surprise;a

let them go down to Sheol alive,

because evil is in their homes and within them.b

16But I call to God,

and the Lord will save me.a

17I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,a

and he hears my voice.b

18Though many are against me,

he will redeem me from my battle unharmed.a

19God, the one enthroned from long ago,a

will hear and will humiliate them

Selah

because they do not change

and do not fear God.b

20My frienda acts violently

against those at peace with him;b

he violates his covenant.c

21His buttery words are smooth,

but war is in his heart.

His words are softer than oil,

but they are drawn swords.a

22Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;a

he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.b

23God, you will bring them down

to the Pit of destruction;a

men of bloodshed and treachery

will not live out half their days.b

But I will trust in you.c