1God, please hear my prayer; don't ignore my cry for help!

2Please listen, and give me an answer. I'm terribly troubled by my problems! I'm frantic!

3For my enemies are screaming at me; the wicked are intimidating ¹⁶⁷me. They rain down suffering on me, angrily assaulting me in their hatred.

4My heart thumps in agony! Terrified, I feel I'm about to die!

5I'm in a panic, trembling with fear; feelings of horror wash over me.

6I tell myself, If only God would give me wings like a dove so I could fly away and be at peace!

7I would fly far away to escape, and stay in the wilderness. Selah.

8I would hurry to a place to hide, out of the wind, safe from the raging storm.

9Confuse them, Lord! Muddle what they're saying, for I see violence and conflict in the city.

10They patrol the city walls day and night, and wickedness and trouble are within the city. ¹⁶⁸

11The ones causing destruction are inside the city; frauds and cheats are always on the streets.

12The problem ¹⁶⁹is that it's not an enemy who mocks me—I could stand that. It's not someone who hates me who insults me—I could avoid them.

13No, it's you, a man just like me, my best friend who I know so well!

14Our friendship was so close. We used to have great talks together as we walked with everyone to the house of God.

15May death come quickly to them; may they go down into the grave alive, because evil finds its home in them.

16As for me, I cry out to God, and the Lord will save me.

17I weep and groan morning, noon, and night, and he listens to me.

18He rescues me, keeping me safe and sound from my attackers, because there are so many against me.

19God who has ruled from the beginning will hear me and answer them. Selah. For they refuse to change and don't respect God.

20As for my best friend, ¹⁷⁰he attacked his friends who had no quarrel with him; he broke the promises he had made to them.

21What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.

22Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.

23But you, God, will bring down murderers and liars, throwing them into the pit of destruction before they have even lived half their lives. As for me, I will trust in you.