Psalms

¹ For the choir director. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

² I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,

³ Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they shake wickedness down upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

⁴ And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

⁵ And horror has covered me.

⁶ I would fly away and be at rest.

⁷ I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.

⁸ From the stormy wind and tempest.”

⁹ For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰ And wickedness and mischief are in her midst.

¹¹ Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets.

¹² Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has magnified himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.

¹³ My close companion and my familiar friend;

¹⁴ Walked in the house of God in the throng.

¹⁵ Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.

¹⁶ And Yahweh will save me.

¹⁷ And He will hear my voice.

¹⁸ For they are many who strive with me.

¹⁹ Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah. Because they do not change, And do not fear God.

²⁰ He has violated his covenant.

²¹ But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

²² He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

²³ Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.