Psalm 55

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-6) 135 Stornoway, 94 Notting Hill

(vv.7-15) 29 Bangor, 42 Coleshill

(vv.16-23) 55 Eden, 105 St Andrew

1    Lord, hear my pray’r, hide not thyself

            from my entreating voice:

2    Attend and hear me; in my plaint

            I mourn and make a noise.

3    Because of th’ en’my’s voice, and for

            lewd men’s oppression great:

      On me they cast iniquity,

            and they in wrath me hate.

4    Sore pain’d within me is my heart:

            death’s terrors on me fall.

5    On me comes trembling, fear and dread

            o’erwhelmed me withal.

6    O that I, like a dove, had wings,

            said I, then would I flee

      Far hence, that I might find a place

            where I in rest might be.

7    Lo, then far off I wander would,

            and in the desert stay;

8    From windy storm and tempest I

            would haste to ’scape away.

9    O Lord, on them destruction bring,

            and do their tongues divide;

      For in the city violence

            and strife I have espy’d.

10  They day and night upon the walls

            do go about it round:

      There mischief is, and sorrow there

            in midst of it is found.

11  Abundant wickedness there is

            within her inward part;

      And from her streets deceitfulness

            and guile do not depart.

12  He was no foe that me reproach’d,

            then that endure I could;

      Nor hater that did ’gainst me boast,

            from him me hide I would.

13  But thou, man, who mine equal, guide,

            and mine acquaintance wast:

14  We join’d sweet counsels, to God’s house

            in company we past.

15  Let death upon them seize, and down

            let them go quick to hell;

      For wickedness doth much abound

            among them where they dwell.

16  I’ll call on God: God will me save.

17        I’ll pray, and make a noise

      At ev’ning, morning, and at noon;

            and he shall hear my voice.

18  He hath my soul delivered,

            that it in peace might be

      From battle that against me was;

            for many were with me.

19  The Lord shall hear, and them afflict,

            of old who hath abode:

      Because they never changes have,

            therefore they fear not God.

20  ’Gainst those that were at peace with him

            he hath put forth his hand:

      The covenant that he had made,

            by breaking he profan’d.

21  More smooth than butter were his words,

            while in his heart was war;

      His speeches were more soft than oil,

            and yet drawn swords they are.

22  Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,

            and he shall thee sustain;

      Yea, he shall cause the righteous man

            unmoved to remain.

23  But thou, O Lord my God, those men

            in justice shalt o’erthrow,

      And in destruction’s dungeon dark

            at last shalt lay them low:

      The bloody and deceitful men

            shall not live half their days:

      But upon thee with confidence

            I will depend always.