Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
- 2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
- 3 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.
- 4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
- 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
- 6 I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
- 7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” Selah.
- 8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
- 9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
- 10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
- 11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
- 12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.
- 13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
- 14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
- 15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
- 16 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
- 17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
- 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
- 19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. They never change and don’t fear God.
- 20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
- 21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
- 22 Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
- 23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.