1 L isten to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication!

2 A ttend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan

3 a t the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.

4 M y heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5 F ear and trembling have come upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me.

6 A nd I say, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7 Y es, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah!

8 I would hasten to escape and to find a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.

9 D estroy, O Lord, confuse their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 D ay and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in its midst.

11 V iolence and ruin are within it; fraud and guile do not depart from its streets and marketplaces.

12 F or it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me—then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me—then I might hide from him.

13 B ut it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.

14 W e had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.

15 L et desolations and death come suddenly upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol (the place of the dead), for evils are in their habitations, in their hearts, and their inmost part.

16 A s for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.

17 E vening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.

18 H e has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me, for they were many who strove with me.

19 G od will hear and humble them, even He Who abides of old— Selah!—because in them there has been no change, and they do not fear, revere, and worship God.

20 h as put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken and profaned his agreement.

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

22 C ast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

23 B ut You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You.