✧For 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 release disaster upon me and revile me in their anger. ✧4My heart murmurs 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.