Betrayed by a close friend
My close friend (Psalm 55)
Listen to my prayer, O God;do not hide Yourself from my plea.Hear me and answer me.I am restless as I make my complaint, and I groan.
My heart is in anguish within me;the terrors of death have fallen on me.Fear and trembling come over me,and horror overwhelms me.
I said, “If only I had wings like a dove!I would fly away and be at rest.I would wander far awayand stay in the wilderness.I would hurry to a shelterfrom the raging wind and the storm.”
If an enemy were taunting me,I could bear it.If someone who hates me were rising up against me,I could hide from him.But it is you, my equal,my companion and my close friend.Together we enjoyed sweet friendship;we walked with the crowd in the house of God.
As for me, I call to God,and the LORD will save me.Evening, morning and noonI make my complaint and groan,and He hears my voice.
Against his friends he raised his hand;he broke his covenant.His talk was smoother than butter,but there was war in his heart.His words were softer than oil,yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the LORD,and He will sustain you.He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Traditional wording, 1906
Hear my prayer, O God, and hide not Thyself from my petition.Take heed unto me, and hear me, how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death is fallen upon me.Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I flee away, and be at rest.Lo, then would I get me away far off, and remain in the wilderness.I would make haste to escape, because of the stormy wind and tempest.
For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonour; for then I could have borne it:neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him:but it was even thou, my companion, my guide, and mine own familiar friend.We took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends.
As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly; and He shall hear my voice.
He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him, and he brake his covenant.The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart;his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall nourish thee,and shall not suffer the righteous to fall forever.
For the hurt that comes from a close friend rather than an enemy. The psalmist longs to fly away, then casts his burden on the LORD.
Plain English by Wiser Walk, from the Hebrew (verses 1 to 2, 4 to 8, 12 to 14, 16 to 17 and 20 to 22), with Hapgood’s Service Book beside it. How the wording is made. Traditional wording: Isabel F. Hapgood, Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church, 1906.
