Psalm 55. Exaudi, Deus.

1. HEAR my prayer, O God, *
   and hide not thyself from my petition.
2. Take heed unto me, and hear me, *
   how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed;
3. The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast; *
   for they are minded to do me some mischief, so maliciously are they set against me.
4. My heart is disquieted within me, *
   and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, *
   and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
6. And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! *
   for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7. Lo, then would I get me away far off, *
   and remain in the wilderness.
8. I would make haste to escape, *
   because of the stormy wind and tempest.
9. Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them; *
   for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
10. Day and night they go about within the walls thereof: *
    mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11. Wickedness is therein; *
    deceit and guile go not out of her streets.
12. For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonour; *
    for then I could have borne it;
13. Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; *
    for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him;
14. But it was even thou, my companion, *
    my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
15. We took sweet counsel together, *
    and walked in the house of God as friends.
16. Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down alive into the pit; *
    for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17. As for me, I will call upon God, *
    and the Lord shall save me.
18. In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly; *
    and he shall hear my voice.
19. It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; *
    for there were many that strove with me.
20. Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down; *
    for they will not turn, nor fear God.
21. He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him, *
    and he brake his covenant.
22. The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart; *
    his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
23. O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, *
    and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
24. And as for them, *
    thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
25. The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days: *
    nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.