New King James Version | New Living Translation |
1To 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. | 1Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! |
2Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, | 2Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. |
3Because 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. | 3My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. |
4My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. | 4My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. |
5Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. | 5Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. |
6So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. | 6Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! |
7Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah | 7I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude |
8I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.” | 8How quickly I would escape— far from this wild storm of hatred. |
9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. | 9Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city. |
10Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. | 10Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. |
11Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets. | 11Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets. |
12For 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. | 12It 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. |
13But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. | 13Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. |
14We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng. | 14What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. |
15Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. | 15Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them. |
16As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. | 16But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. |
17Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. | 17Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. |
18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. | 18He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. |
19God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. | 19God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them. Interlude For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not fear God. |
20He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. | 20As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. |
21The 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. | 21His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! |
22Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. | 22Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. |
23But 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. | 23But 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. |
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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