To the Chief Musician. For stringed instruments. A contemplation. A Psalm of David.

1Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication.

2Attend to me, and answer me; I am distraught in my trouble and moan in my complaint

3Because of the voice of the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked--for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they hate me.

4My heart is pained within me; and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5Fear and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

6And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7Lo, then I would wander far off; I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.

8I would hasten to a place of shelter from the windy storm and tempest."

9Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10They go around her upon her walls by day and night; and iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

11Wickedness is in her midst; oppression and guile will not depart from her streets,

12For it is not an enemy who reviled me--then I could have borne it. It is not one who hates me who magnified himself against me--or I would hide myself from him.

13But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.

14We took sweet counsel together and walked into the house of God with the throng.

15Let death take hold upon them, and let them go down alive into the grave; for evil is among them and in their dwellings.

16As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me.

17Evening and morning, and at noon, I will cry aloud in my distress; and He shall hear my voice.

18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me.

19God shall hear and afflict them, even He who is enthroned of old. Selah. Those who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

20He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant.

21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

23But You, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction; bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days but I will trust in You.