Psalms 55
55
A Prayer About a False Friend
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
1God, listen to my prayer
and do not ignore my cry for help.
2Pay attention to me and answer me.
I am troubled and upset
3by what the enemy says
and how the wicked look at me.
They bring troubles down on me,
and in anger they attack me.
4I am frightened inside;
the terror of death has attacked me.
5I am scared and shaking,
and terror grips me.
6I said, “I wish I had wings like a dove.
Then I would fly away and rest.
7I would wander far away
and stay in the desert.Selah
8I would hurry to my place of escape,
far away from the wind and storm.”
9Lord, destroy and confuse their words,
because I see violence and fighting in the city.
10Day and night they are all around its walls,
and evil and trouble are everywhere inside.
11Destruction is everywhere in the city;
trouble and lying never leave its streets.
12It was not an enemy insulting me.
I could stand that.
It was not someone who hated me.
I could hide from him.
13But it is you, a person like me,
my companion and good friend.
14We had a good friendship
and walked together to God’s Temple.
15Let death take away my enemies.
Let them die while they are still young
because evil lives with them.
16But I will call to God for help,
and the Lord will save me.
17Morning, noon, and night I am troubled and upset,
but he will listen to me.
18Many are against me,
but he keeps me safe in battle.
19God who lives forever
will hear me and punish them.Selah
But they will not change;
they do not fear God.
20The one who was my friend attacks his friends
and breaks his promises.
21His words are slippery like butter,
but war is in his heart.
His words are smoother than oil,
but they cut like knives.
22Give your worries to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will never let good people down.
23But, God, you will bring down
the wicked to the grave.
Murderers and liars will live
only half a lifetime.
But I will trust in you.
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Psalms 55: NCV
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Psalms 55
55
Betrayed
To the Pure and Shining One
King David’s song of derision for instruction
1God, listen to my prayer!
Don’t hide your heart from me when I cry out to you!
2-3Come close to me and give me your answer.
Here I am, moaning and restless.
I’m preoccupied with the threats of my enemies
and crushed by the pressure of their opposition.
They surround me with trouble and terror.
In their fury they rise up against me in an angry uproar.
4My heart is trembling inside my chest
as the terror of death seizes me.
5Fear and dread overwhelm me. I shudder before the horror I face.
6I say to myself, “If only I could fly away from all of this!
If only I could run away to the place of rest and peace.
7I would run far away where no one could find me,
escaping to a wilderness retreat.”
Pause in his presence
8I will hurry off to hide in the higher place,
into my shelter, safe from this raging storm and tempest.
9God, confuse them until they quarrel with themselves.
Destroy them with their own violent strife and slander.
They have divided the city with their discord.
10Though they patrol the walls night and day against invaders,
the real danger is within the city—
the misery and strife in the hearts of its people.
11Murder is in their midst.
Wherever you turn, you find trouble and ruin.
12It wasn’t an enemy who taunted me.
If it was my enemy, filled with pride and hatred,
then I could have endured it. I would have just run away.
13But it was you, my intimate friend—one like a brother to me.
It was you, my adviser, # 55:13 The Greek word in the Septuagint can be translated as “a seer [prophet].” the companion
I walked with and worked with!
14We once had sweet fellowship with each other.
We worshiped in unity as one,
celebrating together with God’s people. # 55:14 David was speaking of Ahithophel, who had once been his friend and adviser, only to betray him. This is foreshadowing of what would happen between Jesus and Judas.
15Now desolation and darkness has come upon you.
May you and all those like you descend into the pit of destruction!
Since evil has been your home, may evil now bury you alive!
16But as for me, I will call upon the Lord to save me, and I know he will!
17Every evening I will explain my need to him.
Every morning I will move my soul toward him.
Every waking hour I will worship only him,
and he will hear and respond to my cry.
18Though many wish to fight and the tide of battle turns against me,
by your power I will be safe and secure;
peace will be my portion.
19God himself will hear me!
God-Enthroned through everlasting ages,
the God of unchanging faithfulness—
he will put them in their place,
all those who refuse to love and revere him!
Pause in his presence
20I was betrayed by my friend, though I lived in peace with him.
While he was stretching out his hand of friendship,
he was secretly breaking every promise he had ever made to me!
21His words were smooth and charming.
Yet his heart was disloyal and full of hatred—
his words soft as silk while all the time scheming my demise.
22So here’s what I’ve learned through it all:
Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord,
and measureless grace will strengthen you.
23He will watch over his devoted lovers,
never letting them slip or be overthrown.
He will send all my enemies to the pit of destruction.
Murderers, liars, and betrayers will face an untimely death.
My life’s hope and trust is in you, and you’ll never fail to rescue me!
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