Read Psalm 55 at Bible Gateway.
Psa 55 paragraph divisions:
There is an understood {s} division at the end of each numbered line, with these {n} divisions within lines:
12a For it was not an enemy that taunted me, then I could have borne it; {n}
12b Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him.
19a God shall hear, and humble them, even He that is enthroned of old, Selah {n}
19b Such as have no changes, and fear not God.
21a Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, but his heart was war; {n}
21b his words were softer than oil, yet were they keen-edged swords.
22a Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee; {n}
22b He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23a But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; {n}
23b men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; {n}
23c but as for me, I will trust in Thee. {p}
Psa 55 structures:
From what I can see, Psa 55 contains two overlapping structures, each reinforcing the message of the other, but each with a different emphasis:
Psa 55:1-17 structure:
1a) Psa 55:1-2a, Give ear, O God, to my prayer; and hide not Yourself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me;
1b) Psa 55:2b-5, I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan, because of the oppression of the wicked;
1c) Psa 55:6-8, Longing for escape + rest + shelter from the storm;
1d) Psa 55:9-11, Destroy them, O LORD/ iniquity + wickedness in their midst;
central axis) Psa 55:12-14, The betrayal of the trusted friend;
2d) Psa 55:15, May the LORD incite death against them/ for evil is within them;
2c) Psa 55:16, As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me;
2b) Psa 55:17a, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan;
2a) Psa 55:17b, And He has heard my voice.
Psa 55:15-23 structure:
1a.1) Psa 55:15, May He incite death against them, Let them go down alive into the nether-world; for evil is in their dwelling, and within them;
1a.2) Psa 55:16, As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me;
1b) Psa 55:17-18a, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He has heard my voice/ He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me;
1c) Psa 55:18b, For they were many that strove with me;
1d) Psa 55:19a, God shall hear, and humble them;
central axis) Psa 55:19b {n} Even He that is enthroned of old, Selah;
2d) Psa 55:19c, Such as have no changes, and fear not God;
2c) Psa 55:20-21, The betrayal of the trusted friend;
2b) Psa 55:22, Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; {n} He will never suffer the righteous to be moved;
2a.1) Psa 55:23a-b {n} But You, O God, will bring them down into the nethermost pit; {n} men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; {n}
2a.2) Psa 55:23c {p} But as for me, I will trust in You.
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