1 To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David to give instruction. Heare my prayer, O God, and hide not thy selfe from my supplication. 2 Hearken vnto me, and answere me: I mourne in my prayer, and make a noyse, 3 For the voyce of the enemie, and for the vexation of ye wicked, because they haue brought iniquitie vpon me, and furiously hate me. 4 Mine heart trembleth within mee, and the terrours of death are fallen vpon me. 5 Feare and trembling are come vpon mee, and an horrible feare hath couered me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a doue: then would I flie away and rest. 7 Beholde, I woulde take my flight farre off, and lodge in the wildernes. Selah. 8 Hee would make haste for my deliuerance from the stormie winde and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and deuide their tongues: for I haue seene crueltie and strife in the citie. 10 Day and night they goe about it vpon the walles thereof: both iniquitie and mischiefe are in the middes of it. 11 Wickednes is in the middes thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streetes. 12 Surely mine enemie did not defame mee: for I could haue borne it: neither did mine aduersarie exalt himselfe against mee: for I would haue hid me from him. 13 But it was thou, O man, euen my companion, my guide and my familiar: 14 Which delited in consulting together, and went into the House of God as companions. 15 Let death sense vpon them: let them goe downe quicke into the graue: for wickednes is in their dwellings, euen in the middes of them. 16 But I will call vnto God, and the Lord will saue me. 17 Euening and morning, and at noone will I pray, and make a noyse, and he wil heare my voice. 18 He hath deliuered my soule in peace from the battel, that was against me: for many were with me. 19 God shall heare and afflict them, euen hee that reigneth of olde, Selah. because they haue no changes, therefore they feare not God. 20 Hee layed his hande vpon such, as be at peace with him, and he brake his couenant. 21 The wordes of his mouth were softer then butter, yet warre was in his heart: his words were more gentle then oyle, yet they were swordes. 22 Cast thy burden vpon the Lord, and hee shall nourish thee: he wil not suffer the righteous to fall for euer. 23 And thou, O God, shalt bring them downe into the pitte of corruption: the bloudie, and deceitfull men shall not liue halfe their dayes: but I will trust in thee.
The Prayer of Someone Betrayed by a Friend
1 Hear my prayer, O God;
don't turn away from my plea!
2 Listen to me and answer me;
I am worn out by my worries.
3 I am terrified by the threats of my enemies,
crushed by the oppression of the wicked.
They bring trouble on me;
they are angry with me and hate me.
4 I am terrified,
and the terrors of death crush me.
5 I am gripped by fear and trembling;
I am overcome with horror.
6 I wish I had wings like a dove.
I would fly away and find rest.
7 I would fly far away
and make my home in the desert.
8 I would hurry and find myself a shelter
from the raging wind and the storm.
9 Confuse the speech of my enemies, O Lord!
I see violence and riots in the city,
10 surrounding it day and night,
filling it with crime and trouble.
11 There is destruction everywhere;
the streets are full of oppression and fraud.
12 If it were an enemy making fun of me,
I could endure it;
if it were an opponent boasting over me,
I could hide myself from him.
13 But it is you, my companion,
my colleague and close friend.
14 We had intimate talks with each other
and worshiped together in the Temple.
15 May my enemies die before their time;
may they go down alive into the world of the dead!
Evil is in their homes and in their hearts.
16 But I call to the Lord God for help,
and he will save me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
my complaints and groans go up to him,
and he will hear my voice.
18 He will bring me safely back
from the battles that I fight
against so many enemies.
19 God, who has ruled from eternity,
will hear me and defeat them;
for they refuse to change,
and they do not fear him.
20 My former companion attacked his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words were smoother than cream,
but there was hatred in his heart;
his words were as soothing as oil,
but they cut like sharp swords.
22 Leave your troubles with the Lord,
and he will defend you;
he never lets honest people be defeated.
23 But you, O God, will bring those murderers and liars to their graves
before half their life is over.
As for me, I will trust in you.