[1] Hear my prayer, O God; don't turn away from my plea! [2] Listen to me and answer me; I am worn out by my worries. [3] I am terrified by the threats of my enemies, crushed by the oppression of the wicked. They bring trouble on me; they are angry with me and hate me. [4] I am terrified, and the terrors of death crush me. [5] I am gripped by fear and trembling; I am overcome with horror. [6] I wish I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and find rest. [7] I would fly far away and make my home in the desert. [8] I would hurry and find myself a shelter from the raging wind and the storm. [9] Confuse the speech of my enemies, O Lord! I see violence and riots in the city, [10] surrounding it day and night, filling it with crime and trouble. [11] There is destruction everywhere; the streets are full of oppression and fraud. [12] If it were an enemy making fun of me, I could endure it; if it were an opponent boasting over me, I could hide myself from him. [13] But it is you, my companion, my colleague and close friend. [14] We had intimate talks with each other and worshiped together in the Temple. [15] May my enemies die before their time; may they go down alive into the world of the dead! Evil is in their homes and in their hearts. [16] But I call to the LORD God for help, and he will save me. [17] Morning, noon, and night my complaints and groans go up to him, and he will hear my voice. [18] He will bring me safely back from the battles that I fight against so many enemies. [19] God, who has ruled from eternity, will hear me and defeat them; for they refuse to change, and they do not fear him. [20] My former companion attacked his friends; he broke his promises. [21] His words were smoother than cream, but there was hatred in his heart; his words were as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords. [22] Leave your troubles with the LORD, and he will defend you; he never lets honest people be defeated. [23] But you, O God, will bring those murderers and liars to their graves before half their life is over. As for me, I will trust in you.
