1For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a maskil by David.
2Listen to my prayer, O God, do not hide from my pleas.
3Pay heed to me and answer me, as I lament in my distress and moan -
4 because of the shout of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked; for they accuse me of evil and hate me passionately.
5My heart shudders within me, and the terrors of death have descended upon me.
6Fear and trembling penetrate me, and I am enveloped with horror.
7And I said, "If only I had wings like the dove! I would fly off and find rest.
8Behold, I would wander afar, and lodge in the wilderness forever.
9I would hurry to find shelter for myself from the stormy wind, from the tempest.”
10Consume, O Lord, confuse their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.1
11Day and night they encircle her upon her walls, and iniquity and vice are in her midst.
12Treachery is within her; fraud and deceit never depart from her square.
13For it is not the enemy who taunts me-that I could bear; nor my foe who raises himself against me, that I could hide from him.
14But it is you, a man of my equal, my guide and my intimate.
15Together we took sweet counsel; we walked with the throng to the house of God.
16May He incite death upon them, let them descend to the pit alive; for there is evil in their dwelling, within them.
17As for me, I call to God, and the Lord will save me.
18Evening, morning and noon, I lament and moan-and He hears my voice.
19He redeemed my soul in peace from battles against me, because of the many who were with me.
20May God-He who is enthroned from the days of old, Selah-hear and humble those in whom there is no change, and who do not fear God.
21He extended his hands against his allies, he profaned his covenant.
22Smoother than butter are the words of his mouth, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are curses.
23Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous man falter.
24And You, O God, will bring them down to the nethermost pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.