Psalm 55: Exaudi, Deus

Hear my prayer, O God; *

do not hide yourself from my petition.

Listen to me and answer me; *

I have no peace, because of my cares.

I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *

and by the pressure of the wicked;

For they have cast an evil spell upon me *

and are set against me in fury.

My heart quakes within me, *

and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

Fear and trembling have come over me, *

and horror overwhelms me.

And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *

I would fly away and be at rest.

I would flee to a far-off place *

and make my lodging in the wilderness.

I would hasten to escape *

from the stormy wind and tempest."

Swallow them up, O Lord;

confound their speech; *

for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Day and night the watchmen make their rounds upon her walls, *

but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.

There is corruption at her heart; *

her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.

For had it been an adversary who taunted me,

then I could have borne it; *

or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me,

then I could have hidden from him.

But it was you, a man after my own heart, *

my companion, my own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together, *

and walked with the throng in the house of God.

Let death come upon them suddenly;

let them go down alive to the grave; *

for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.

But I will call upon God, *

and the LORD will deliver me.

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,

I will complain and lament, *

and he will hear my voice.

He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; *

for there are many who fight me.

God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; *

they never change; they do not fear God.

My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; *

he has broken his covenant.

His speech is softer than butter, *

but war is in his heart.

His words are smoother than oil, *

but they are drawn swords.

Cast your burden upon the LORD,

and he will sustain you; *

he will never let the righteous stumble.

For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *

down to the pit of destruction, O God.

They shall not live out half their days, *

but I will put my trust in you.