1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

2Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught

3at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster upon me and resent me in their anger.

4My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me.

5Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

6I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

7How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. Selah

8I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.”

9O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.

10Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within.

11Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.

12For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.

13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend.

14We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

15Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.

16But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.

17Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

18He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

19God will hear and humiliate them—the One enthroned for the ages—Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.

20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

23But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.