Chapter 55

  To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.  

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  Attend to me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;  

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  Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.  

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  My heart is severely pained within me: and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.  

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  Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.  

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  And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! for then I would fly away, and be at rest.  

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  Lo, then I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.  

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  I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.  

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  Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.  

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  Day and night they go about it upon its walls: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.  

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  Wickedness is in the midst of it: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.  

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  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that magnified himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  

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  But it was thou, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.  

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  We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.  

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  Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.  

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  As for me, I will call upon God: and the LORD will save me.  

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  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he will hear my voice.  

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  He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.  

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  God will hear and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.  

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  He hath put forth his hands against such as are at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.  

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  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.  

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  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain thee: he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.  

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  But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.  

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