1To the Chief Musician; with stringed instruments. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of David. LISTEN TO my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication!
2Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan
3[And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.
4My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5Fear and trembling have come upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me.
6And I say, Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
7Yes, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
8I would hasten to escape and to find a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.
9Destroy [their schemes], O Lord, confuse their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10Day and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in its midst.
11Violence and ruin are within it; fraud and guile do not depart from its streets and marketplaces.
12For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me--then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me--then I might hide from him.
13But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.
14We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.
15Let desolations and death come suddenly upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol (the place of the dead), for evils are in their habitations, in their hearts, and their inmost part.
16As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
17Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.
18He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me [so that none came near me], for they were many who strove with me.
19God will hear and humble them, even He Who abides of old--Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!--because in them there has been no change [of heart], and they do not fear, revere, and worship God.
20[My companion] has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken and profaned his agreement [of friendship and loyalty].
21The words of his mouth were smoother than cream or butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). [I Pet. 5:7.]
23But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You.