| 1 | Listen to my prayer, God. Don't hide yourself from my supplication. |
| 2 | Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan, |
| 3 | Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me. |
| 4 | My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me. |
| 5 | Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me. |
| 6 | I said, 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest. |
| 7 | Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.' Selah. |
| 8 | 'I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.' |
| 9 | Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. |
| 10 | Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her. |
| 11 | Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets. |
| 12 | For it was not an enemy who insulted me, Then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, Then I would have hid myself from him. |
| 13 | But it was you, a man like me, My companion, and my familiar friend. |
| 14 | We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with the throng. |
| 15 | Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them. |
| 16 | As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me. |
| 17 | Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. |
| 18 | He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, Although there are many who oppose me. |
| 19 | God, who is enthroned forever, Will hear, and answer them. Selah. They never change, Who don't fear God. |
| 20 | He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant. |
| 21 | His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. |
| 22 | Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. |
| 23 | But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, But I will trust in you. Psalm 56 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of 'Silent Dove in Distant Lands'. A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. |