For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David.
1
Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
2
hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3
because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.
4
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5
Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.
6
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
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I would flee far away and stay in the desert;
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I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”
9
Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.
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Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.
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Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.
12
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
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But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
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with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
15
Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.
16
As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
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He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
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God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change – he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
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My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
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His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
23
But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.
