1To the chief musician, with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
2Give ear, O God, to my prayer, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
3Attend to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint, and I moan,
4because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they bring down trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
5My heart writhes within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6Fear and trembling come into me, and horror has covered me.
7And I said, "Who will give me a wing like a dove? I would fly away and dwell.
8Behold, I would wander far off; I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.
9I would hasten my escape from the raging spirit (ruach), from the tempest."
10Swallow them up, my Lord (Adonai), divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
11Day and night they go around it upon its walls; and trouble and toil are within it.
12Destruction is within it, and oppression and deceit do not depart from its open square.
13For it is not an enemy who taunts me, then I could bear it; it is not one who hates me who magnifies himself against me, then I would hide from him.
14But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.
15We who together made counsel sweet; in the house of God we walked in the throng.
16May death come deceptively upon them; let them go down to Sheol alive (chai); for evils are in their dwelling, within them.
17As for me, I will call to God, and YHWH will save me.
18Evening and morning and noon I complain and moan, and He hears my voice.
19He has redeemed my soul (nephesh) in peace from the battle against me, for they were many against me.
20God will hear and answer them, even He who is enthroned of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, and they do not fear God.
21He has put forth his hands against those at peace with him; he has profaned his covenant (berit).
22The butter-words of his mouth were smooth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
23Cast upon YHWH your burden, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
24But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of corruption; men (ish) of blood and deceit will not live out half their days; but as for me, I will trust in You.