1 Lord, hear my pray’r, hide not thyself
from my entreating voice:
2 Attend and hear me; in my plaint
I mourn and make a noise.
3 Because of th’ en’my’s voice, and for
lewd men’s oppression great:
On me they cast iniquity,
and they in wrath me hate.
4 Sore pain’d within me is my heart:
death’s terrors on me fall.
5 On me comes trembling, fear and dread
o’erwhelmed me withal.
6 O that I, like a dove, had wings,
said I, then would I flee
Far hence, that I might find a place
where I in rest might be.
7 Lo, then far off I wander would,
and in the desert stay;
8 From windy storm and tempest I
would haste to ‘scape away.
9 O Lord, on them destruction bring,
and do their tongues divide;
For in the city violence
and strife I have espy’d.
10 They day and night upon the walls
do go about it round:
There mischief is, and sorrow there
in midst of it is found.
11 Abundant wickedness there is
within her inward part;
And from her streets deceitfulness
and guile do not depart.
12 He was no foe that me reproach’d,
then that endure I could;
Nor hater that did ‘gainst me boast,
from him me hide I would.
13 But thou, man, who mine equal, guide,
and mine acquaintance wast:
14 We join’d sweet counsels, to God’s house
in company we past.
15 Let death upon them seize, and down
let them go quick to hell;
For wickedness doth much abound
among them where they dwell.
16 I’ll call on God: God will me save.
17 I’ll pray, and make a noise
At ev’ning, morning, and at noon;
and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath my soul delivered,
that it in peace might be
From battle that against me was;
for many were with me.
19 The Lord shall hear, and them afflict,
of old who hath abode:
Because they never changes have,
therefore they fear not God.
20 ‘Gainst those that were at peace with him
he hath put forth his hand:
The covenant that he had made,
by breaking he profan’d.
21 More smooth than butter were his words,
while in his heart was war;
His speeches were more soft than oil,
and yet drawn swords they are.
22 Cast thou thy burden on the Lord,
and he shall thee sustain;
Yea, he shall cause the righteous man
unmoved to remain.
23 But thou, O Lord my God, those men
in justice shalt o’erthrow,
And in destruction’s dungeon dark
at last shalt lay them low:
The bloody and deceitful men
shall not live half their days:
But upon thee with confidence
I will depend always.