David is troubled by violence in the city and, worse, betrayal by a close friend. He wishes for wings like a dove to fly away. He tells himself: Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.
1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth , Maschil , A Psalm of David . Give ear to my prayer , O God ; and hide not thyself from my supplication .
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint , and make a noise ;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy , because of the oppression of the wicked : for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said , Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for then would I fly away , and be at rest .
7 Lo, then would I wander far off , and remain in the wilderness . Selah .
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest .
9 Destroy , O Lord , and divide their tongues : for I have seen violence and strife in the city .
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets .
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal , my guide , and mine acquaintance .
14 We took sweet counsel together , and walked unto the house of God in company .
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell : for wickedness is in their dwellings , and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God ; and the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening , and morning , and at noon , will I pray , and cry aloud : and he shall hear my voice .
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear , and afflict them, even he that abideth of old . Selah . Because they have no changes , therefore they fear not God .
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant .
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter , but war was in his heart : his words were softer than oil , yet were they drawn swords .
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD , and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved .
23 But thou, O God , shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction : bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days ; but I will trust in thee.