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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Psalm 55 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/psalms/55.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/psalms/55-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CSB</a> > Psalm 55</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../psalms/54.htm" title="Psalm 54">◄</a> Psalm 55 <a href="../psalms/56.htm" title="Psalm 56">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/psalms/55.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Psalms.55" /><h4 class="psalm">Psalm 55</h4><h3 class="head1">Betrayal by a Friend</h3><h3 class="head2">For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A <span class="italic">Maskil</span> of David.</h3><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-1.htm"><b></b></a></span>God, listen to my prayer</p><p class="poem">and do not hide from my plea for help.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.1.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Pay attention to me and answer me.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.2.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.2.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>because of the enemy’s words,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Psalms.55.3.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a></p><p class="poem">because of the pressure<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Psalms.55.3.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">B</span></a> of the wicked.</p><p class="poem">For they bring down disaster on me</p><p class="poem">and harass me in anger.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.3.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>My heart shudders within me;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">terrors of death sweep over me.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Fear and trembling grip me;</p><p class="poem">horror has overwhelmed me.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.5.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>I said, “If only I had wings like a dove!</p><p class="poem">I would fly away and find rest.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>How far away I would flee;</p><p class="poem">I would stay in the wilderness.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poemright"><span class="italic">Selah</span></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>I would hurry to my shelter</p><p class="poem">from the raging wind and the storm.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.8.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Lord, confuse<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Psalms.55.9.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> and confound their speech,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Psalms.55.9.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">B</span></a> <a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.9.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">for I see violence and strife in the city;</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>day and night they make the rounds on its walls.</p><p class="poem">Crime and trouble are within it;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.10.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>destruction is inside it;</p><p class="poem">oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.11.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Now it is not an enemy who insults me —</p><p class="poem">otherwise I could bear it;</p><p class="poem">it is not a foe who rises up against me —</p><p class="poem">otherwise I could hide from him.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>But it is you, a man who is my peer,</p><p class="poem">my companion and good friend!<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.13.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>We used to have close fellowship;</p><p class="poem">we walked with the crowd into the house of God.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Let death take them by surprise;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.15.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">let them go down to Sheol alive,</p><p class="poem">because evil is in their homes and within them.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.15.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>But I call to God,</p><p class="poem">and the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> will save me.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.16.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and he hears my voice.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.17.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Though many are against me,</p><p class="poem">he will redeem me from my battle unharmed.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>God, the one enthroned from long ago,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">will hear and will humiliate them</p><p class="poemright"><span class="italic">Selah</span></p><p class="poem">because they do not change</p><p class="poem">and do not fear God.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.19.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>My friend<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.20.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> acts violently</p><p class="poem">against those at peace with him;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.20.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem">he violates his covenant.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.20.3"><span class="xrfAlphabet">c</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>His buttery words are smooth,</p><p class="poem">but war is in his heart.</p><p class="poem">His words are softer than oil,</p><p class="poem">but they are drawn swords.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.21.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Cast your burden on the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>,</p><p class="poem">and he will sustain you;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.22.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.22.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Psalms.55.23" /> <A name=""></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/psalms/55-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>God, you will bring them down</p><p class="poem">to the Pit of destruction;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.23.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">men of bloodshed and treachery</p><p class="poem">will not live out half their days.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.23.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem">But I will trust in you.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Psalms.55.23.3"><span class="xrfAlphabet">c</span></a></p></blockquote><br /><section id="footnotes-Psalms.55" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Psalms.55.3.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.3">55:3</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">voice</span></aside><aside id="fn.Psalms.55.3.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.3">55:3</a></span> Or <span class="italic">threat</span>, or <span class="italic">oppression</span></aside><aside id="fn.Psalms.55.9.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.9">55:9</a></span> Or <span class="italic">destroy</span></aside><aside id="fn.Psalms.55.9.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.9">55:9</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">and divide their tongue</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Psalms.55" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.1.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.1">55:1</a></span> Lm 3:56</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.2.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.1">55:1-2</a></span> Ps 4:1; 5:1–2; 54:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.2.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.2">55:2</a></span> Ps 64:1; 142:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.3.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.3">55:3</a></span> 2Sm 16:7–8; Ps 71:11</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.4">55:4</a></span> Ps 38:8</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.5.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.4">55:4-5</a></span> Ps 18:4–5; 116:3</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.6">55:6</a></span> Jb 3:13</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.7">55:7</a></span> Jr 9:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.8.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.8">55:8</a></span> Is 4:6; 25:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.9.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.9">55:9</a></span> Gn 10:25; 11:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.10.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.9">55:9-10</a></span> Jr 6:7; Hab 1:3</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.11.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.11">55:11</a></span> Ps 5:9; 10:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.13.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.12">55:12-13</a></span> Jb 19:13,19; Ps 41:9; 88:18</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.14">55:14</a></span> Ps 42:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.15.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.15">55:15</a></span> Pr 6:15; Is 47:11; 1Th 5:3</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.15.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.15">55:15</a></span> Nm 16:30,33</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.16.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.16">55:16</a></span> Ps 119:46</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.17">55:17</a></span> Ps 92:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.17.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.17">55:17</a></span> Ps 64:1; 142:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.18">55:18</a></span> Ps 56:2; 103:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.19">55:19</a></span> Ps 93:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.19.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.19">55:19</a></span> Dt 33:27</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.20.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.20">55:20</a></span> Ps 55:13</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.20.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.20">55:20</a></span> Ps 7:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.20.3"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.20">55:20</a></span> Ps 89:34</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.21.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.21">55:21</a></span> Ps 12:2; 28:3</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.22.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.22">55:22</a></span> 1Pt 5:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.22.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.22">55:22</a></span> Ps 37:24; 112:6</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.23.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.23">55:23</a></span> Is 38:17; Ezk 28:8</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.23.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.23">55:23</a></span> Ps 5:6</aside><aside id="xrf.Psalms.55.23.3"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Psalms.55.23">55:23</a></span> Ps 56:3</aside><br /><section 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