[1] 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 tempest." [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 hid
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 the throng. [15] Let death come suddenly on them. Let
them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in
the midst of them. [16] As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh 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, Who 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 Yahweh, 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. Psalm 56 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent
Dove in Distant Lands". A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in
Gath.
