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 unto 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 sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.  

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

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

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  Lo, [then] would I 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 the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow [are] in the midst of it.  

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  Wickedness [is] in the midst thereof: 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] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:  

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

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  We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto 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 shall save me.  

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  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall 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 shall 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 be 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 shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  

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  But thou, O God, shalt 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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