Psalm 55: Lord, hear my pray'r, hide not thyself
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David.
Meter: C.M. (8,6,8,6)
1 Lord, hear my pray’r, hide not thyself from my entreating voice: 2 Attend and hear me; in my plaint I mourn and make a noise.
3 Because of th’ en’my’s voice, and for lewd men’s oppression great: On me they cast iniquity, and they in wrath me hate.
4 Sore pain’d within me is my heart: death’s terrors on me fall. 5 On me comes trembling, fear and dread o’erwhelmed me withal.
6 O that I, like a dove, had wings, said I, then would I flee Far hence, that I might find a place where I in rest might be.
7 Lo, then far off I wander would, and in the desert stay; 8 From windy storm and tempest I would haste to ‘scape away.
9 O Lord, on them destruction bring, and do their tongues divide; For in the city violence and strife I have espy’d.
10 They day and night upon the walls do go about it round: There mischief is, and sorrow there in midst of it is found.
11 Abundant wickedness there is within her inward part; And from her streets deceitfulness and guile do not depart.
12 He was no foe that me reproach’d, then that endure I could; Nor hater that did ‘gainst me boast, from him me hide I would.
13 But thou, man, who mine equal, guide, and mine acquaintance wast: 14 We join’d sweet counsels, to God’s house in company we past.
15 Let death upon them seize, and down let them go quick to hell; For wickedness doth much abound among them where they dwell.
16 I’ll call on God: God will me save. 17 I’ll pray, and make a noise At ev’ning, morning, and at noon; and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath my soul delivered, that it in peace might be From battle that against me was; for many were with me.
19 The Lord shall hear, and them afflict, of old who hath abode: Because they never changes have, therefore they fear not God.
20 ’Gainst those that were at peace with him he hath put forth his hand: The covenant that he had made, by breaking he profan’d.
21 More smooth than butter were his words, while in his heart was war; His speeches were more soft than oil, and yet drawn swords they are.
22 Cast thou thy burden on the Lord, and he shall thee sustain; Yea, he shall cause the righteous man unmoved to remain.
23 But thou, O Lord my God, those men in justice shalt o’erthrow, And in destruction’s dungeon dark at last shalt lay them low:
The bloody and deceitful men shall not live half their days: But upon thee with confidence I will depend always.