LV. Book II. Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous. 1909-14. The Book of Psalms. The Harvard Classics

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The Book of Psalms.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Book II

Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous

For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David.


[1]	GIVE ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication.
[2]	Attend unto 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 cast iniquity upon me, And in anger they persecute 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! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.
[7]	Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. [Selah
[8]	I would haste 1 me to a shelter From the stormy wind and tempest.
[9]	Destroy, 2 O Lord, and divide their tongue; For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
[10]	Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.
[11]	Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Oppression 3 and guile depart not from its 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 companion, and my familiar friend.
[14]	We took sweet counsel together; We walked in the house of God with the throng.
[15]	Let 4 death come suddenly upon them, Let them go down alive into Sheol; For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the 5 midst of them.
[16]	As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me.
[17]	Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice.
[18]	He hath redeemed my soul in peace from 6 the battle that was against me; For they were many that strove with me.
[19]	God will hear, and answer 7 them, Even he that abideth of old, [Selah The men who have no changes, And who fear not God.
[20]	He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant.
[21]	His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
[22]	Cast thy 8 burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
[23]	But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee.

Note 1. Or, hasten my escape. [back]

Note 2. Heb. Swallow up. [back]

Note 3. Or, Fraud. [back]

Note 4. Or, as otherwise read, Desolations be upon them!. [back]

Note 5. Or, their inward part. [back]

Note 6. Or, so that none came nigh me. [back]

Note 7. Or, afflict. [back]

Note 8. Or, what he hath given thee. [back]

CONTENTS · BOOK CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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