Psalms

¹ For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

² My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

³ at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.

⁴ the terrors of death assail me.

⁵ horror has overwhelmed me.

⁶ I would fly away and be at rest—

⁷ and stay in the desert; Selah

⁸ far from the tempest and storm.”

⁹ for I see violence and strife in the city.

¹⁰ malice and abuse are within it.

¹¹ threats and lies never leave its streets.

¹² I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.

¹³ my companion, my close friend,

¹⁴ as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

¹⁵ let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them.

¹⁶ and the Lord saves me.

¹⁷ I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

¹⁸ from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

¹⁹ will hear them and afflict them— Selah men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.

²⁰ he violates his covenant.

²¹ yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

²² and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

²³ into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.