Psalms
Summary
Psalm 55 is a raw and emotional prayer of David, written during a time of great distress and betrayal. He begins by wishing he had "wings like a dove" to fly away and be at rest from the "windy storm" of his life. The most painful element is the betrayal of a "close friend" who once walked with him to the house of God. Despite the "drawn swords" of his friend's smoother-than-butter words, David resolves to call upon God at evening, morning, and noon. It concludes with the famous encouragement to "cast your burden upon the LORD," trusting that He will never let the righteous be moved.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and do not hide yourself from my supplication.
Attend to me and hear me; I am restless in my complaint and I groan loudly,
because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring down trouble upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
My heart is in anguish within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest.
Lo, then I would wander far off and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
I would hasten my escape from the stormy wind and tempest."
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go about it upon its walls; mischief and sorrow are in its midst.
Wickedness is in its midst; deceit and guile do not depart from its streets.
For it was not an enemy who reproached me, then I could have borne it; neither was it he who hated me who magnified himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him;
but it was you, a man my equal, my companion and close friend.
We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in company.
Let death seize upon them, and let them go down alive to the grave; for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice.
He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many against me.
God shall hear and afflict them, even he who abides from of old. Selah. Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.
He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you; he shall never allow the righteous to be moved.
But you, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction; bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.