Psalm 55. Exaudi, Deus.

1. Hear my prayer, O God; *
   do not hide yourself from my petition.
2. Listen to me and answer me; *
   I have no peace, because of my cares.
3. I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *
   and by the pressure of the wicked;
4. For they have cast an evil spell upon me *
   and are set against me in fury.
5. My heart quakes within me, *
   and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6. Fear and trembling have come over me, *
   and horror overwhelms me.
7. And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *
   I would fly away and be at rest.
8. I would flee to a far-off place *
   and make my lodging in the wilderness.
9. Swallow them up, O Lord; confound their speech; *
   for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10. Day and night the watchmen make their rounds upon her walls, *
    but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.
11. There is corruption in her heart; *
    her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.
12. For had it been an adversary who taunted me, then I could have borne it; *
    or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me, then I could have hidden from him.
13. But it was you, a man after my own heart, *
    my companion, my own familiar friend.
14. We took sweet counsel together, *
    and walked with the throng in the house of God.
15. Let death come upon them suddenly; let them go down alive into the grave; *
    for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.
16. But I will call upon God, *
    and the Lord will deliver me.
17. In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, *
    and he will hear my voice.
18. He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; *
    for there are many who fight me.
19. God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; *
    they never change; they do not fear God.
20. My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; *
    he has broken his covenant.
21. His speech is softer than butter, *
    but war is in his heart.
22. His words are smoother than oil, *
    but they are drawn swords.
23. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you; *
    he will never let the righteous stumble.
24. For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *
    down to the pit of destruction, O God.
25. They shall not live out half their days, *
    but I will put my trust in you.