New King James Version NKJV
New Living Translation NLT
1 To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
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Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help!
2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
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Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
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My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down.
4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
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My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.
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Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
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Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah
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I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest."
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How quickly I would escape— far from this wild storm of hatred.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
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Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
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Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11 Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
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Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
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It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them.
13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance.
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Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend.
14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
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What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.
15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.
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Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me.
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But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
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Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.
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He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me.
19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.
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God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them. Interlude For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not fear God.
20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant.
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As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
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His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
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Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.
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But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me.