1For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David.

2Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.

3Attend to me, and hearken to me: I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled;

4because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.

5My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.

6Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.

7And I said, O that I had wings as those of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.

8Lo! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. Pause.

9I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.

10Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gainsaying in the city.

11Day and night ⁹⁹he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness are in the midst of it;

12and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.

13For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated me had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.

14But thou, O man likeminded, my guide, and my acquaintance,

15who in companionship with me sweetened our food: we walked in the house of God in concord.

16Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them.

17I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me.

18Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known my wants: and he shall hear my voice.

19He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: for they were with me in many cases.

20God shall hear, and bring them low, even he that has existed from eternity. Pause. ¹⁰⁰For they suffer no reverse, and therefore they have not feared God.

21He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.

22They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh ¹⁰¹them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.

23Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall ¹⁰²sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

24But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in thee, O Lord.