[1] Listen to my prayer, O God; don't hide yourself when I cry to you. [2] Hear me, Lord! Listen to me! For I groan and weep beneath my burden of woe. [3] My enemies shout against me and threaten me with death. They surround me with terror and plot to kill me. Their fury and hatred rise to engulf me. [4] My heart is in anguish within me. Stark fear overpowers me. [5] Trembling and horror overwhelm me. [6] Oh, for wings like a dove, to fly away and rest! [7] I would fly to the far-off deserts and stay there. [8] I would flee to some refuge from all this storm. [9] O Lord, make these enemies begin to quarrel among themselves-destroy them with their own violence and strife. [10] Though they patrol their walls night and day against invaders, their real problem is internal-wickedness and dishonesty are entrenched in the heart of the city. [11] There is murder and robbery there, and cheating in the markets and wherever you look. [12] It was not an enemy who taunted me-then I could have borne it; I could have hidden and escaped. [13] But it was you, a man like myself, my companion and my friend. [14] What fellowship we had, what wonderful discussions as we walked together to the Temple of the Lord on holy days. [15] Let death seize them and cut them down in their prime, for there is sin in their homes, and they are polluted to the depths of their souls. [16] But I will call upon the Lord to save me-and he will. [17] I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with God; and he will hear and answer. [18] Though the tide of battle runs strongly against me, for so many are fighting me, yet he will rescue me. [19] God himself-God from everlasting ages past-will answer them! For they refuse to fear him or even honor his commands. [20] This friend of mine betrayed me-I who was at peace with him. He broke his promises. [21] His words were oily smooth, but in his heart was war. His words were sweet, but underneath were daggers. [22] Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall. [23] He will send my enemies to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will not live out half their days. But I am trusting you to save me.
