55 Exaudi, Deus

1 Hear my prayer, O God; *
do not hide yourself from my petition.

2 Listen to me and answer me; *
I have no peace, because of my cares.

3 I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *
and by the pressure of the wicked;

4 For they have cast an evil spell upon me *
and are set against me in fury.

5 My heart quakes within me, *
and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

6 Fear and trembling have come over me, *
and horror overwhelms me.

7 And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *
I would fly away and be at rest.

8 I would flee to a far-off place *
and make my lodging in the wilderness.

9 I would hasten to escape *
from the stormy wind and tempest."

10 Swallow them up, O Lord;
confound their speech; *
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

11 Day and night the watchmen make their rounds
upon her walls, *
but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.

12 There is corruption at her heart; *
her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.

13 For had it been an adversary who taunted me,
then I could have borne it; *
or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me,
then I could have hidden from him.

14 But it was you, a man after my own heart, *
my companion, my own familiar friend.

15 We took sweet counsel together, *
and walked with the throng in the house of God.

16 Let death come upon them suddenly;
let them go down alive into the grave; *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.

17 But I will call upon God, *
and the Lord will deliver me.

18 In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,
I will complain and lament, *
and he will hear my voice.

19 He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; *
for there are many who fight me.

20 God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; *
they never change; they do not fear God.

21 My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; *
he has broken his covenant.

22 His speech is softer than butter, *
but war is in his heart.

23 His words are smoother than oil, *
but they are drawn swords.

24 Cast your burden upon the Lord,
and he will sustain you; *
he will never let the righteous stumble.

25 For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *
down to the pit of destruction, O God.

26 They shall not live out half their days, *
but I will put my trust in you.

Web Author: Charles Wohlers
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