To the Chief Musician; with stringed instruments. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of David.
Listen to my prayer, O God,
And do not hide Yourself from my plea.
Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the pressure of the wicked;
For they bring down trouble on me,
And in anger they persecute me.
“I would hurry to my refuge [my tranquil shelter far away]
From the stormy wind and from the tempest.”
Destruction is within her;
Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets and market places.
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
Then I could bear it;
Nor is it one who has hated me who insolently exalts himself against me—
Then I could hide from him.
Let death come deceitfully upon them;
Let them go down alive to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),
For evil [of every kind] is in their dwelling and in their hearts, in their midst.
He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
But his heart was hostile;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).
Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved.
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