1 To the chief musician, on Neginoth (stringed instruments); an instruction of David.
2 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication.
3 Attend unto me and answer me. I am restless in my plaint and moan,
4 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast iniquity upon me, and in anger they persecute me.
5 My heart is writhing within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6 Fear and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
7 And I said, Who will give me wings as the dove? I would fly away and be at rest.
8 Behold, I would flee far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.
9 I would hasten my escape from stormy wind, from tempest.
10 Swallow up, O Lord, divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
11 Day and night they surround it upon its walls; and iniquity and mischief [are] in its midst;
12 Perversities [are] in its midst; and oppression and deceit depart not from its streets.
13 For [it was] not an enemy reproached me: then I had borne [it]; neither did he that hateth me magnify [himself] against me: then had I hidden myself from him;
14 But thou, a man mine equal, mine intimate, my familiar!
15 We who together sweetened counsel, to the house of God we walked in the throng.
16 Let death seize (or desolation be on) them, let them go down alive [to] Sheol. For evils [are] in their dwelling, in their midst.
17 As for me, unto God will I call; and Jehovah will save me.
18 Evening and morning and noon I will complain and moan; and he will hear my voice.
19 He redeemed my soul in peace from the war against me, for many were [contending] with me.
20 God will hear and answer (afflict) them—he that is seated of old, Selah—who have no changes and fear not God.
21 He put forth his hands against those at peace with him; he profaned his covenant.
22 Smooth as butter was his mouth, and war his heart; his words were softer than oil, and [yet] they are drawn swords.
23 Cast upon Jehovah thy burden (what he giveth thee), and he will sustain thee; he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
24 And thou, O God, wilt bring them down to die. pit of corruption: men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days. But for me, I will trust in thee.
Notes on Psalm 55
This like the last is “To the chief musician on Neginoth (stringed instruments): an instruction of David.”
It was an awful time for a godly Jew to feel and to say that the wilderness was better than the city; but so it is here. The worst was within, even in the nearest circle: how Christ was moved at this, John 13 testifies. But it looks onward to a day of wider if not more literal accomplishment. In all their affliction He was afflicted. Divine judgment alone will solve and fulfil all.