| Chapter 55 |
1 |
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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2 |
Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; --
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3 |
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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4 |
My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. --
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5 |
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. --
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6 |
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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7 |
Lo, [then] would I wander far off, [and] remain in the wilderness. Selah. --
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8 |
I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest. --
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9 |
Destroy, O Lord, [and] divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. --
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10 |
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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11 |
Wickedness [is] in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. --
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12 |
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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13 |
But [it was] thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. --
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14 |
We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto the house of God in company. --
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15 |
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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16 |
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. --
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17 |
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. --
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18 |
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was] against me: for there were many with me. --
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19 |
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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20 |
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. --
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21 |
[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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22 |
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. --
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23 |
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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