1 G ive ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.

2 A ttend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

3 B ecause of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute me.

4 M y heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5 F earfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

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

7 L o, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

8 I would haste me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.

9 D estroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 D ay and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

11 W ickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression and guile depart not from its streets.

12 F or it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him:

13 B ut it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend.

14 W e took sweet counsel together; We walked in the house of God with the throng.

15 L et death come suddenly upon them, Let them go down alive into Sheol; For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.

16 A s for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me.

17 E vening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice.

18 H e hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many that strove with me.

19 G od will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, Selah The men who have no changes, And who fear not God.

20 H e hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant.

21 H is mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.

22 C ast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23 B ut thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee.