For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David.
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1Listen to my prayer, God.
- Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
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2Attend to me, and answer me.
- I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
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3Because 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.
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4My heart is severely pained within me.
- The terrors of death have fallen on me.
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5Fearfulness and trembling have come on me.
- Horror has overwhelmed me.
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6I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove!
- Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
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7Behold, then I would wander far off.
- I would lodge in the wilderness.”
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8“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
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9Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language,
- for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
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10Day and night they prowl around on its walls.
- Malice and abuse are also within her.
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11Destructive forces are within her.
- Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
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12For 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.
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13But it was you, a man like me,
- my companion, and my familiar friend.
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14We took sweet fellowship together.
- We walked in God’s house with company.
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15Let death come suddenly on them.
- Let them go down alive into Sheol.
- For wickedness is in their dwelling, in their midst.
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16As for me, I will call on God.
- Yahweh will save me.
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17Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress.
- He will hear my voice.
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18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
- although there are many who oppose me.
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19God, who is enthroned forever,
- will hear, and answer them.
- They never change,
- who don’t fear God.
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20He raises his hands against his friends.
- He has violated his covenant.
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21His mouth was smooth as butter,
- but his heart was war.
- His words were softer than oil,
- yet they were drawn swords.
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22Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.
- He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
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23But 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.