Tell It Like It Is

^[1] For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; ^[2] hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught ^[3] because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. ^[4] My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. ^[5] Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. ^[6] I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. ^[7] I would flee far away and stay in the desert; ^[8] I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” ^[9] Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. ^[10] Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. ^[11] Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. ^[12] If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. ^[13] But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, ^[14] with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. ^[15] Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them. ^[16] As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. ^[17] Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. ^[18] He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. ^[19] God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change- he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God. ^[20] My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. ^[21] His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. ^[22] Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. ^[23] But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.