52. “I was trapped like a bird by enemies who had no cause to hate me.
53. They threw me alive into a pit and closed the opening with a stone.
54. Water began to close over me, and I thought death was near.
55. “From the bottom of the pit, O Lord, I cried out to you,
56. And when I begged you to listen to my cry, you heard.
57. You answered me and told me not to be afraid.
58. “You came to my rescue, Lord, and saved my life.
59. Judge in my favour; you know the wrongs done against me.
60. You know how my enemies hate me and how they plot against me.
61. “You have heard them insult me, O Lord; you know all their plots.
62. All day long they talk about me and make their plans.
63. From morning till night they jeer at me.
64. “Punish them for what they have done, O Lord;