Psalm 55
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- Psalm 55 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil [1] of David.
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- Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
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- hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
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- at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.
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- My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.
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- Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.
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- I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--
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- I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah
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- I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."
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- Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
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- Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.
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- Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.
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- If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.
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- But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
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- with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.
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- Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, [2] for evil finds lodging among them.
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- But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
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- Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
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- He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
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- God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them-- Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.
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- My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
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- His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
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- Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
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- But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.