1For the music director. With stringed instruments. A meditation by David. God, hear my prayer. Don't ignore my plea.
2Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless when I complain, and I moan,
3Because of the enemy's voice, because of the wicked people's oppression. For they bring suffering on me. In anger, they hold a grudge against me.
4My heart is deeply hurt within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5Fear and trembling have come upon me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away and be at rest.
7Look, then I would travel far away. I would live in the wilderness.” (Selah)
8“I would hurry to find shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9Lord, confuse them and mix up their language, because I have seen violence and conflict in the city.
10Day and night, they walk around on its walls. Evil and abuse are also inside her.
11Destructive forces are inside her. Threats and lies never leave her streets.
12If an enemy had insulted me, I could have handled it. If someone who hated me had attacked me, I would have hidden from them.
13But it was you, a man like me, my close friend and companion.
14We used to enjoy sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with many others.
15May death suddenly come upon them. May they go down alive into the grave, because wickedness is among them, in their homes.
16As for me, I will call to God. Yahweh will rescue me.
17Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress, and he will hear my voice.
18He has peacefully rescued me from the battle against me, even though many oppose me.
19God, who reigns forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. Those who don't fear God never change.
20He turns against his friends and has broken his promise.
21His words were smooth as butter, but his heart intended war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were like drawn swords.
22Give your burdens to Yahweh, and he will support you. He will never let good people be defeated.
23But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Violent and deceitful people will not live out half their lives, but I will trust in you.