Psalm 55 is not “about” domestic violence as such but might speak to and for a victim of such violence or other abuse. The nature of the biblical psalms invites us to bring our own experiences and emotions to them and allow a psalm to give voice to our fears and desires and to raise that voice to God.

Psalm 55:1-6,16-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

Give ear to my prayer, O God;

do not hide yourself from my supplication.

Attend to me, and answer me;

I am troubled in my complaint.

I am distraught by the noise of the enemy,

because of the clamor of the wicked.

For they bring trouble upon me,

and in anger they cherish enmity against me.

My heart is in anguish within me,

the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

Fear and trembling come upon me,

and horror overwhelms me.

And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest;

truly, I would flee far away;

I would lodge in the wilderness;

I would hurry to find a shelter for myself

from the raging wind and tempest.”

But I call upon God,

and the LORD will save me.

Evening and morning and at noon

I utter my complaint and moan,

and he will hear my voice.

He will redeem me unharmed

from the battle that I wage,

for many are arrayed against me.

God, who is enthroned from of old,

will hear, and will humble them—

because they do not change, and do not fear God.

My companion laid hands on a friend

and violated a covenant with me

with speech smoother than butter,

but with a heart set on war;

with words that were softer than oil,

but in fact were drawn swords.

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (800) 537-2238
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 99-SAFE (7233)
www.ndvh.org
TTY 1-800-787-3224 for Hearing Impaired

Answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling
on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all
50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Assistance is available in English and Spanish with
access to more than 140 languages through interpreter services.

The hotline answers an average of 16,000 calls per month.