1 Lord, hear my pray'r, hide not thyselffrom my entreating voice:
2 Attend and hear me; in my plaintI mourn and make a noise.
3 Because of th' en'my's voice, and forlewd 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 dreado'erwhelmed me withal.
6 O that I, like a dove, had wings,said I, then would I fleeFar hence, that I might find a placewhere I in rest might be.
7 Lo, then far off I wander would,and in the desert stay;
8 From windy storm and tempest Iwould 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 wallsdo go about it round:There mischief is, and sorrow therein midst of it is found.
11 Abundant wickedness there iswithin her inward part;And from her streets deceitfulnessand 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 housein company we past.
15 Let death upon them seize, and downlet them go quick to hell;For wickedness doth much aboundamong them where they dwell.
16 I'll call on God: God will me save.
17 I'll pray, and make a noiseAt ev'ning, morning, and at noon;and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath my soul delivered,that it in peace might beFrom 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 himhe 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 manunmoved to remain.
23 But thou, O Lord my God, those menin justice shalt o'erthrow,And in destruction's dungeon darkat last shalt lay them low:The bloody and deceitful menshall not live half their days:But upon thee with confidenceI will depend always.