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Psalm 55 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Betrayal by a Friend

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

Psa 55:1

God, listen to my prayer

and do not hide from my plea for help.

Psa 55:2

Pay attention to me and answer me.

I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

Psa 55:3

because of the enemy’s words,[fn]

because of the pressure[fn] of the wicked.

For they bring down disaster on me

and harass me in anger.

Psa 55:4

My heart shudders within me;

terrors of death sweep over me.

Psa 55:5

Fear and trembling grip me;

horror has overwhelmed me.

Psa 55:6

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

I would fly away and find rest.

Psa 55:7

“How far away I would flee;

I would stay in the wilderness.Selah

Psa 55:8

“I would hurry to my shelter

from the raging wind and the storm.”

Psa 55:9

Lord, confuse[fn] and confound their speech,[fn]

for I see violence and strife in the city;

Psa 55:10

day and night they make the rounds on its walls.

Crime and trouble are within it;

Psa 55:11

destruction is inside it;

oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace.

Psa 55:12

Now 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.

Psa 55:13

But it is you, a man who is my peer,

my companion and good friend!

Psa 55:14

We used to have close fellowship;

we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Psa 55:15

Let death take them by surprise;

let them go down to Sheol alive,

because evil is in their homes and within them.

Psa 55:16

But I call to God,

and the LORD will save me.

Psa 55:17

I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,

and he hears my voice.

Psa 55:18

Though many are against me,

he will redeem me from my battle unharmed.

Psa 55:19

God, the one enthroned from long ago,

will hear and will humiliate themSelah

because they do not change

and do not fear God.

Psa 55:20

My friend acts violently

against those at peace with him;

he violates his covenant.

Psa 55:21

His buttery words are smooth,

but war is in his heart.

His words are softer than oil,

but they are drawn swords.

Psa 55:22

Cast your burden on the LORD,

and he will sustain you;

he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Psa 55:23

God, you will bring them down

to the Pit of destruction;

men of bloodshed and treachery

will not live out half their days.

But I will trust in you.

CSB Footnotes
Lit voice
Or threat, or oppression
Or destroy
Lit and divide their tongue
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Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

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Psalm Chapter 55 — Additional Translations: