1Give ear to my prayer , O God ; and hide not thyself from my supplication . 2Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint , and make a noise ; 3Because of the voice of the enemy , because of the oppression of the wicked : for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
The Source of Fear
6And I said , Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for then would I fly away , and be at rest . 7Lo, then would I wander far off , and remain in the wilderness . Selah . 8I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest . 9Destroy , O Lord , and divide their tongues : for I have seen violence and strife in the city . 10Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets .
A Call for Justice
12For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13But it was thou, a man mine equal , my guide , and mine acquaintance . 14We took sweet counsel together , and walked unto the house of God in company . 15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell : for wickedness is in their dwellings , and among them.
The Assurance of Deliverance
16As for me, I will call upon God ; and the LORD shall save me. 17Evening , and morning , and at noon , will I pray , and cry aloud : and he shall hear my voice . 18He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19God shall hear , and afflict them, even he that abideth of old . Selah . Because they have no changes , therefore they fear not God . 20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant . 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter , but war was in his heart : his words were softer than oil , yet were they drawn swords . 22Cast thy burden upon the LORD , and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved . 23But thou, O God , shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction : bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days ; but I will trust in thee.