For the music director, to the tune

“A Silent Dove Far Away.”

A miktam of David,

when he was seized by the Philistines in Gath.

Show mercy to me, O God,

for man has trampled me,

they fight all day and oppress me.

My enemies trample me all day long.

Many people arrogantly fight me.

When I am afraid I will place my trust in You.

I keep praising God‘s word

– I trust in God and will not fear.

What can mere mortals do, really?

They twist my words all day.

All their thoughts are evil

and turned against me.

They stir up trouble and lie in wait.

They watch my steps,

eager to pounce on my soul.

Will they escape in spite of their great sins?

O God, cast down such people in fierce anger!

You have taken a note of my wanderings,

You placed my tears in Your bottle.

Did You not write it all down in Your book?

Then my foes will retreat when I call for help.

I know this for certain – God is on my side.

In God, – whose word I forever praise.

In Adonai– whose word I forever praise.

In God I trust; I will not fear.

What can mere mortals do to me, really?

Your vows are on me, O God.

I will make thank offerings to You.

You have delivered my soul from mortal danger

and prevented my feet from stumbling

so that I may walk before God in the light of life.

For the music director: with stringed instruments,

a maskil of David.

Oh God, listen to my prayer

and don’t ignore my plea for help.

Hear me and answer me.

I moan and I’m restless because of my complaint

– because of the voice of my adversary

because of the oppression of the wicked.

They throw trouble at me

and angrily bear a grudge against me.

Deep within me, my heart shudders,

and the terrors of death wash over me,

and I am overwhelmed by horror.

I said “Oh if only I had wings like a dove!

I would then fly away and find peace.

Surely I would fly far away and stay in the wilderness.

Selah

I would scramble to my shelter

away from the rushing storm winds.”

Lord, mix up their speech,

because I see strife and violence in the city.

All day and all night they prowl her walls.

Mischief and iniquity are within her too.

In her midst are ruins.

Deceit and oppression are camped in her square.

If it were an enemy taunting me,

I could bear it.

If my enemy was raising himself up over me

I could just hide myself from him.

But no, it is a man like me

 – my friend and close companion!

We enjoyed a great fellowship together.

We used to walk with the crowds in the House of God.

Let desolation surround them,

let them get dragged alive down into Sheol

because they dwell in evil.

As for me, I call upon God

and Adonai saves me.

All day long I moan and complain,

then God hears my voice.

God will rescue my soul in shalom

from the battle waged against me.

Many foes fight against me.

God will listen and make them humble

– yes the One enthroned from long ago.

Selah

Nothing changes because they don’t fear God.

My companion raised his hands

against his allies and violates his covenant.

His speech was smoother than butter,

but his heart was filled with war.

Softer than oil were his words,

but really they were like drawn swords.

Place your burdens on Adonai

and Adonai will sustain you.

Adonai won’t ever let the righteous be shaken.

Instead, God will bring them down

to the Pit of destruction.

Bloodthirsty, treacherous people

will have their lifespan cut in half.

But as for me – I will trust in You.

For the music director: with stringed instruments.

A maskil of David, when the Ziphites asked Saul

“Isn’t David hiding amongst us?”

God, save me by Your Name

and vindicate me with Your might.

God, hear my prayer

and listen to the words from my mouth.

Strangers have risen up against me.

Ruthless people seek my soul.

They don’t set God before them.

Selah

God is my helper, surely.

Adonai supports my soul.

Let evil recoil on my foes.

Shut their mouths with Your truth!

I will offer a freewill sacrifice to You.

Because it is good I will praise Your Name, Adonai.

For Adonai has delivered me from every trouble

and my eyes have gazed in triumph on my enemies.