[1] Open your ears to my prayer, O God. Do not hide from my plea for mercy. [2] Pay attention to me, and answer me. My thoughts are restless, and I am confused [3] because my enemy shouts at me and a wicked person persecutes me. They bring misery crashing down on me, and they attack me out of anger. [4] My heart is in turmoil. The terrors of death have seized me. [5] Fear and trembling have overcome me. Horror has overwhelmed me. [6] I said, "If only I had wings like a dove- I would fly away and find rest. [7] Indeed, I would run far away. I would stay in the desert. Selah [8] I would hurry to find shelter from the raging wind and storm." [9] Completely confuse their language, O Lord, because I see violence and conflict in the city. [10] Day and night they go around on top of the city walls. Trouble and misery are everywhere. [11] Destruction is everywhere. Oppression and fraud never leave the streets. [12] If an enemy had insulted me, then I could bear it. If someone who hated me had attacked me, then I could hide from him. [13] But it is you, my equal, my best friend, one I knew so well! [14] We used to talk to each other in complete confidence and walk into God's house with the festival crowds. [15] Let death suddenly take wicked people! Let them go into the grave while they are still alive, because evil lives in their homes as well as in their hearts. [16] But I call on God, and the LORD saves me. [17] Morning, noon, and night I complain and groan, and he listens to my voice. [18] With his peace, he will rescue my soul from the war waged against me, because there are many soldiers fighting against me. [19] God will listen. The one who has sat enthroned from the beginning will deal with them. Selah They never change. They never fear God. [20] My best friend has betrayed his friends. He has broken his solemn promise. [21] His speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack. [22] Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble. [23] But you, O God, will throw wicked people into the deepest pit. Bloodthirsty and deceitful people will not live out half their days. But I will trust you.
