Psalm 55

Psalm 55 Wednesday Midday 2. Friday Readings 4

Listen, God, to my prayer, * and do not feign ignorance of my plea.

Attend to me and answer me; * descend at my complaint.

I shudder at the voice of the enemy, * at the stare of the wicked;

for they heap abuse upon me, * and slander me to my face.

My heart flutters in my breast, * and Death's terrors assail me.

Fear and terror assault me; * and shudders overcome me.

I said, “Who will give me wings like a dove, * to fly away and be at rest?

I would fly far away, * and settle in the wilderness.

I would hasten to my haven * out of the sweeping wind and tempest.”

Lord, destroy their forked tongue! * for I see violence and strife in the city

making their rounds day and night; * on its walls are both malice and mischief!

From its center come pernicious deeds; * from its center they never leave; * from its square spread oppression and fraud!

It was not an enemy * who dealt me the insults that I bear.

It was not my opponent who defamed me, * that I should hide myself from him.

But you, a man of my rank, * my companion and confidant:

We used to take sweet counsel together * in the house of God) * we used to mingle among the throngs.

May death overcome them; * may they may they go down to Sheol alive,

For venemous words proceed * from their throat and breast.

But I called to God, * and Yahweh saved me.

Evening, morning and noon * I complained and moaned,

and the Ransomer heard my voice, * making payment for my life.

He drew near to me * when full many were against me.

El heard me and answered; * the Ageless sent his reply, * because there is no variation in him.

Yet they had no fear of God. * That man laid hands on his ally, * and violated his covenant.

Smoother than cream was his speech, * but hostility was in his heart.

His words were smoother than oil, * but they were sharpened swords.

Your Provider is Yahweh the Most High, * your Benefactor who will sustain you.

Never will he allow * the just man to stumble.

But you, God, will bring them down * to the muddy pit.

Let men of idols and fetishes * not live half their days. * But as for me, I trust in you.