| 1For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy! | 1For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore my appeal for mercy! |
| 2Pay attention to me and answer me! I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself, | 2Pay attention to me and answer me! I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself, |
| 3because of what the enemy says, and because of how the wicked pressure me, for they hurl trouble down upon me and angrily attack me. | 3because of what the enemy says, and because of how the wicked pressure me, for they hurl trouble down upon me and angrily attack me. |
| 4My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me. | 4My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me. |
| 5Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me. | 5Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me. |
| 6I say, "I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place! | 6I say, "I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place! |
| 7Look, I will escape to a distant place; I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah) | 7Look, I will escape to a distant place; I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah) |
| 8I will hurry off to a place that is safe from the strong wind and the gale." | 8I will hurry off to a place that is safe from the strong wind and the gale." |
| 9Confuse them, O Lord! Frustrate their plans! For I see violence and conflict in the city. | 9Confuse them, O Lord! Frustrate their plans! For I see violence and conflict in the city. |
| 10Day and night they walk around on its walls, while wickedness and destruction are within it. | 10Day and night they walk around on its walls, while wickedness and destruction are within it. |
| 11Disaster is within it; violence and deceit do not depart from its public square. | 11Disaster is within it; violence and deceit do not depart from its public square. |
| 12Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me, or else I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, or else I could hide from him. | 12Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me, or else I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, or else I could hide from him. |
| 13But it is you, a man like me, my close friend in whom I confided. | 13But it is you, a man like me, my close friend in whom I confided. |
| 14We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God's temple we would walk together among the crowd. | 14We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God's temple we would walk together among the crowd. |
| 15May death destroy them! May they go down alive into Sheol! For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst. | 15May death destroy them! May they go down alive into Sheol! For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst. |
| 16As for me, I will call out to God, and the LORD will deliver me. | 16As for me, I will call out to God, and the LORD will deliver me. |
| 17During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan, and he will hear me. | 17During the evening, morning, and noontime I will lament and moan, and he will hear me. |
| 18He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me, even though they greatly outnumber me. | 18He will rescue me and protect me from those who attack me, even though they greatly outnumber me. |
| 19God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago, will hear and humiliate them. (Selah) They refuse to change, and do not fear God. | 19God, the one who has reigned as king from long ago, will hear and humiliate them. (Selah) They refuse to change, and do not fear God. |
| 20He attacks his friends; he breaks his solemn promises to them. | 20He attacks his friends; he breaks his solemn promises to them. |
| 21His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords. | 21His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords. |
| 22Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended. | 22Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended. |
| 23But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit. Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I trust in you. | 23But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit. Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I trust in you. |
|
