1. For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
2. Listen, God, to my prayer;do not hide from my pleading;
3. hear me and give answer.I rock with grief; I groan
4. at the uproar of the enemy,the clamor of the wicked.They heap trouble upon me,savagely accuse me.
5. My heart pounds within me;death’s terrors fall upon me.
6. Fear and trembling overwhelm me;shuddering sweeps over me.
7. I say, “If only I had wings like a dovethat I might fly away and find rest.
8. Far away I would flee;I would stay in the desert.
9. “I would soon find a shelterSelahfrom the raging wind and storm.”
10. Lord, check and confuse their tongues.For I see violence and strife in the city
11. making rounds on its walls day and night.Within are mischief and trouble;
12. treachery is in its midst;oppression and fraud never leave its streets.
13. For it is not an enemy that reviled me –that I could bear –Not a foe who viewed me with contempt,from that I could hide.
14. But it was you, my other self,my comrade and friend,
15. You, whose company I enjoyed,at whose side I walkedin the house of God.
16. Let death take them;let them go down alive to Sheol,for evil is in their homes and bellies.
17. But I will call upon God,and the Lord will save me.
18. At dusk, dawn, and noonI will grieve and complain,and my prayer will be heard.
19. He will redeem my soul in peacefrom those who war against me,though there are many who oppose me.
20. God, who sits enthroned forever,will hear me and afflict them.SelahFor they will not mend their ways;they have no fear of God.
21. He stretched out his hand at his friendsand broke his covenant.
22. Softer than butter is his speech,but war is in his heart.Smoother than oil are his words,but they are unsheathed swords.
23. Cast your care upon the Lord,who will give you support.He will never allowthe righteous to stumble.
24. But you, God, will bring them downto the pit of destruction.These bloodthirsty liarswill not live half their days,but I put my trust in you.