1 Listen, God, to my prayer!

Don't reject my request.

2 Please listen and help me.

My thoughts are troubled,

and I keep groaning

3 because my enemies attack

with loud shouts.

They treat me terribly

and hold angry grudges.

4 My heart is racing fast,

and I am afraid of dying.

5 I am trembling with fear,

completely terrified.

6 I wish I had wings

like a dove,

so I could fly far away

and be at peace.

7 I would go and live

in some distant desert.

8 I would quickly find shelter

from howling winds

and raging storms.

9 Confuse my enemies, Lord!

Upset their plans.

Cruelty and violence

are all I see in the city,

10 and they are like guards

on patrol day and night.

The city is full of trouble,

evil, 11 and corruption.

Troublemakers and liars

freely roam the streets.

12 My enemies are not the ones

who sneer and make fun.

I could put up with that

or even hide from them.

13 But it was my closest friend,

the one I trusted most.

14 We enjoyed being together,

when we went with others

to your house, our God.

15 All who hate me are controlled

by the power of evil.

Sentence them to death

and send them down alive

to the world of the dead.

16 I ask for your help, Lord God,

and you will keep me safe.

17 Morning, noon, and night

you hear my concerns

and my complaints.

18 I am attacked from all sides,

but you will rescue me

unharmed by the battle.

19 You have always ruled,

and you will hear me.

You will defeat my enemies

because they won't turn

and worship you.

20 My friend turned against me

and broke his promise.

21 His words were smoother

than butter, and softer

than olive oil.

But hatred filled his heart,

and he was ready to attack

with a sword.

22 Our Lord, we belong to you.

We tell you what worries us,

and you won't let us fall.

23 But what about those people

who are cruel and brutal?

You will throw them down

into the deepest pit

long before their time.

I trust you, Lord!