Psalm
To the director; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. Masʹkil.* Of David.
2 Do pay attention to me and answer me.+
My concern makes me restless,+
And I am distraught
3 Because of what the enemy is saying
And the pressure from the wicked one.
For they heap trouble upon me,
And in anger they harbor animosity against me.+
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
And shuddering grips me.
6 I keep saying: “If only I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and reside in safety.
7 Look! I would flee far away.+
I would lodge in the wilderness.+ (Selah)
8 I would hurry to a place of shelter
Away from the raging wind, away from the storm.”
9 Confuse them, O Jehovah, and frustrate their plans,*+
For I have seen violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they walk around on its walls;
Within it are malice and trouble.+
11 Ruin is in its midst;
Oppression and deception never depart from its public square.+
12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me;+
Otherwise I could put up with it.
It is not a foe who has risen up against me;
Otherwise I could conceal myself from him.
14 We used to enjoy a warm friendship together;
Into the house of God we used to walk along with the multitude.
15 May destruction overtake them!+
Let them go down alive into the Grave;*
For evil resides among them and within them.
16 As for me, I will call out to God,
And Jehovah will save me.+
18 He will rescue* me and give me* peace from those fighting against me,
For multitudes come against me.+
They will refuse to change,
Those who have not feared God.+
21 His words are smoother than butter,+
But conflict is in his heart.
His words are softer than oil,
But they are drawn swords.+
Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.*+
23 But you, O God, will bring them down to the deepest pit.+
Those bloodguilty and deceitful men will not live out half their days.+
But as for me, I will trust in you.