For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David.

55:1 Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.

55:2 Attend to me, and hearken to me: I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled;

55:3 because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.

55:4 My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.

55:5 Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.

55:6 And I said, O that I had wings as [those] of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.

55:7 Lo! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. Pause.

55:8 I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.

55:9 Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.

55:10 Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness [are] in the midst of it;

55:11 and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.

55:12 For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated [me] had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.

55:13 But thou, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,

55:14 who in companionship with me sweetened [our] food: we walked in the house of God in concord.

55:15 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them.

55:16 I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me.

55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known [my wants]: and he shall hear my voice.

55:18 He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: for they were with me in many [cases].

55:19 God shall hear, and bring them low, [even] he that has existed from eternity. Pause. For they suffer no reverse, and [therefore] they have not feared God.

55:20 He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.

55:21 They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.

55:22 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in thee, O Lord.

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

55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

55:2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

55:4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

55:7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

55:9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

55:11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

55:20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.