[1] God, hear my prayer. Please don’t ignore my prayer for mercy.
[2] God, please listen to me and answer me. Let me speak to you and tell you what upsets me.
[3] My enemy said bad things to me. That wicked man yelled at me. My enemies were angry and attacked me. They brought troubles crashing down on top of me.
[4] My heart is pounding inside me. I am scared to death.
[5] I am scared and shaking. I am terrified.
[6] Oh, I wish I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and find a place to rest.
[7] I would go far, far away into the desert.
[8] I would run away. I would escape. I would run away from this storm of trouble.
[9] -
[10] My Master, stop their lies. I see the violence and fighting in this city. Day and night, in every neighborhood, the city is filled with crime and vandalism.
[11] There is too much crime in the streets. People are lying and cheating everywhere.
[12] If it were an enemy insulting me, I could bear it. If it were my enemies attacking me, I could hide.
[13] But it is you, my companion, my colleague, my friend. ˻You are giving me troubles.˼
[14] We used to share our secrets with one another, as we walked through the crowds together in God’s temple.
[15] I wish death would take my enemies by surprise! I wish the earth would open up and swallow them alive! Why? Because they plan such terrible things together.
[16] I will call to God for help. And the Lord will answer me.
[17] I speak to God evening, morning, and noon. I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me!
[18] I have fought in many battles. But God has always rescued me and brought me back safely.
[19] God listens to me. The Eternal King will help me. selah
[20] My enemies will not change their lives. They don’t fear and respect God.
[21] My enemies attack their own friends. They don’t do the things they agree to do.
[22] My enemies are really smooth talkers; they talk about peace, but they are really planning wars. Their words are as slick as oil, but those words cut like a knife.
[23] Give your worries to the Lord, and he will care for you. The Lord will never let good people be defeated.
[24] As your part of the agreement, God, send those liars and murderers to their grave before their life is half finished! As my part of the agreement, I will put my trust in you.