Psalms 55 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Listen to my prayer, God. Don't turn away from my plea.

Pay attention to me and answer me. I'm restless in my anguish — I can't stop pacing —

because of what the enemy is saying, because of the pressure the corrupt keep putting on me. They pile trouble on top of me and harass me with their fury.

My heart is writhing inside me, and the terror of death has fallen over me.

Fear and trembling have come over me, and a shuddering dread has swallowed me whole.

And I said, "If only I had wings like a dove — I would fly away and find rest."

I would fly far, far away. I would make my home in the wilderness.

I would rush to find shelter from the raging wind and storm.

Swallow them up, Lord! Confuse their speech! Because I see violence and conflict in the city.

Day and night they circle the city on its walls. Trouble and misery fill it to the brim.

Destruction is at the center of it all. Cruelty and deceit never leave its streets.

If it were an enemy taunting me, I could endure it. If someone who hated me were rising against me, I could hide from them.

But it's you — someone just like me, my close companion, my trusted friend.

We used to share life together with such sweetness. We walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Let death come on them without warning. Let them go down to the grave alive, because evil lives in their homes — right there inside them.

But I — I call out to God, and Yahweh will rescue me.

Evening and morning and noon, I cry out in anguish, and he hears my voice.

He brought me back unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though so many were lined up against me.

God will hear and bring them low — the one enthroned from ancient days — because they refuse to change and have no respect for God.

My companion turned against those at peace with him; he broke his covenant.

His mouth was smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Throw what weighs on you onto Yahweh, and he will carry you through. He will never let the one who does right be shaken loose.

But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. The bloodthirsty and the liars — they won't live out half their days. But I will trust in you.