Study Desk

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil^[b] of David.

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;^(a)

hear me and answer me.^(b) My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught^(c)

because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me^(d) and assail^(e) me in their anger.^(f)

My heart is in anguish^(g) within me; the terrors^(h) of death have fallen on me.

Fear and trembling⁽ⁱ⁾ have beset me; horror^(j) has overwhelmed me.

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

I would flee far away and stay in the desert;^[c](k)

I would hurry to my place of shelter,^(l) far from the tempest and storm.^(m)"

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,⁽ⁿ⁾ for I see violence and strife^(o) in the city.^(p)

Day and night they prowl^(q) about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.

Destructive forces^(r) are at work in the city; threats and lies^(s) never leave its streets.

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.

But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,^(t)

with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship^(u) at the house of God,^(v) as we walked about among the worshipers.

Let death take my enemies by surprise;^(w) let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,^(x) for evil finds lodging among them.

As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.

Evening,^(y) morning^(z) and noon^(aa) I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

God, who is enthroned from of old,^(ab) who does not change— he will hear^(ac) them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.^(ad)

My companion attacks his friends;^(ae) he violates his covenant.^(af)

His talk is smooth as butter,^(ag) yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil,^(ah) yet they are drawn swords.^(ai)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;^(aj) he will never let the righteous be shaken.^(ak)

But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit^(al) of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful^(am) will not live out half their days.^(an) But as for me, I trust in you.^(ao)

For the director of music. To the tune of "A Dove on Distant Oaks." Of David. A miktam.^[b] When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

Be merciful to me,^(a) my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit;^(b) all day long they press their attack.^(c)

My adversaries pursue me all day long;^(d) in their pride many are attacking me.^(e)

When I am afraid,^(f) I put my trust in you.^(g)

In God, whose word I praise—^(h) in God I trust and am not afraid.⁽ⁱ⁾ What can mere mortals do to me?^(j)

All day long they twist my words;^(k) all their schemes are for my ruin.

They conspire,^(l) they lurk, they watch my steps,^(m) hoping to take my life.⁽ⁿ⁾

Because of their wickedness do not^[c] let them escape;^(o) in your anger, God, bring the nations down.^(p)

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll^[d](q)— are they not in your record?^(r)

Then my enemies will turn back^(s) when I call for help.^(t) By this I will know that God is for me.^(u)

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord , whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

I am under vows^(v) to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered me from death^(w) and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.^(x)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.^(b)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.^(c) I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings^(d) until the disaster has passed.^(e)

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.^(f)

He sends from heaven and saves me,^(g) rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^[c](h) God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.⁽ⁱ⁾