Chapter 55

  Listen to my prayer, God. Don't hide yourself from my supplication.  

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  Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,  

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  Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.  

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  My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.  

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  Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.  

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  I said, 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.  

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  Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.' Selah.  

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  'I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.'  

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  Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.  

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  Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.  

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  Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets.  

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  For it was not an enemy who insulted me, Then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, Then I would have hid myself from him.  

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  But it was you, a man like me, My companion, and my familiar friend.  

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  We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with the throng.  

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  Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.  

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  As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me.  

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  Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.  

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  He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, Although there are many who oppose me.  

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  God, who is enthroned forever, Will hear, and answer them. Selah. They never change, Who don't fear God.  

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  He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.  

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  His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.  

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  Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.  

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  But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, But I will trust in you. Psalm 56 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of 'Silent Dove in Distant Lands'. A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.  

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