Psalm 55

Psalm 55 – Betrayed by a Friend

For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.

1Listen, God, to my prayer.

Don’t hide yourself from my pleading.

2Hear me, and answer;

for bitter is my lament.

3I am wild with the noise of the foe,

with the clamour of the ungodly;

for they hurl disaster upon me,

and attack me with fury.

4My heart shudders within me,

terrors of deaths press on me,

5fear and trembling attack me,

and horror wraps me round.

6O for the wings of a dove:

I would fly away and rest.

7I would wander far away,

find refuge in the wilderness. Selah

8I would find myself a shelter

from raging wind and tempest.

9Confuse them, Lord, upset their plans;

for I see violence and strife in the city.

10By day and by night they make their rounds

on the city walls,

while within is crime and trouble,

11within is ruin.

Her market-place is never free

of deceit and tyranny.

The Treacherous Friend

12The taunts were not those of a foe

that I could have borne;

the disdain was not that of an enemy

I could have shunned them:

13but it was you, my equal,

my dear and familiar friend.

14We used to be so close,

together we walked in God’s house with the crowd.

15May death suddenly take them,

may they go down to Sheol alive,

for evil lives in their homes and their hearts.

16But I will call on God,

the Lord will save me.

17Evening and morning and noon

I lament and moan.

He will hear my voice;

18though I am attacked by many

he will rescue me,

unharmed from the war.

19God, who sits on his ancient throne

will hear and will humble them,

for they never change,

they never reverence God. Selah

20My friend turned against me,

betrayed his word.

21His mouth was smoother than butter,

but war filled his heart.

His words were softer than oil,

but sharper than swords.

22Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you.

He will never let the righteous

be shaken.

23But you, God, will hurl them down

to the deepest pit.

Bloody and treacherous people

will not live out half their days;

but I will trust you.