Psalms 54
1For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. 1
2Hearken, O God, to my prayer; 1 And disregard not my supplication. 1
3Attend to me, and hearken to me: 1 I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled; 1
4Because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: 1 For they brought iniquity against me, 1 And were wrathfully angry with me. 1
5My heart was troubled within me; 1 And the fear of death fell upon me. 1
6Fear and trembling came upon me, 1 And darkness covered me. 1
7And I said, O that I had wings as those of a dove! 1 Then would I flee away, and be at rest. 1
8Lo! I have fled afar off, 1 And lodged in the wilderness. Pause. 1
9I waited for him that should deliver me 1 From distress of spirit and tempest. 1
10Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: 1 For I have seen iniquity and gainsaying in the city. 1
11Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: 1 Iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness are in the midst of it; 1
12And usury and craft have not failed from its streets. 1
13For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; 1 And if one who hated me had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hidden myself from him. 1
14But thou, O man like-minded, 1 My guide, and my acquaintance, 1
15Who in companionship with me sweetened our food: 1 We walked in the house of God in concord. 1
16Let death come upon them, 1 And let them go down alive into Hades, 1 For iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them. 1
17I cried to God, 1 And the Lord hearkened to me. 1
18Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known my wants: 1 And he shall hear my voice. 1
19He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: 1 For they were with me in many cases. 1
20God shall hear, and bring them low, 1 Even he that has existed from eternity. Pause. 1 For they suffer no reverse, 1 And therefore they have not feared God. 1
21He has reached forth his hand for retribution; 1 They have profaned his covenant. 1
22They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, 1 And his heart drew nigh them. 1 His words were smoother than oil, 1 Yet are they darts. 1
23Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; 1 He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 1
24But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; 1 Bloody and crafty men 1 Shall not live out half their days; 1 But I will hope in thee, O Lord.