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

2 G ive heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,

3 B ecause of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

4 M y heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5 F ear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.

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

7 “ Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.

8 “ I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind and tempest.”

9 C onfuse, O Lord, divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 D ay and night they go around her upon her walls, And iniquity and mischief are in her midst.

11 D estruction is in her midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets.

12 F or it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.

13 B ut it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend;

14 W e who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng.

15 L et death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.

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

17 E vening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.

18 H e will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me.

19 G od will hear and answer them— Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah. With whom there is no change, And who do not fear God.

20 H e has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

21 H is speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

22 C ast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

23 B ut You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.