1. Listen, O God, to my prayer!Do not ignore my appeal for mercy!
2. Pay attention to me and answer me!I am so upset and distressed, I am beside myself,
3. because of what the enemy says,and because of how the wicked pressure me,for they hurl trouble down upon meand angrily attack me.
4. My heart beats violently within me;the horrors of death overcome me.
5. Fear and panic overpower me;terror overwhelms me.
6. I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove!I would fly away and settle in a safe place!
7. Look, I will escape to a distant place;I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah)
8. I will hurry off to a place that is safefrom the strong wind and the gale.”
9. Confuse them, O Lord!Frustrate their plans!For I see violence and conflict in the city.
10. Day and night they walk around on its walls,while wickedness and destruction are within it.
11. Disaster is within it;violence and deceit do not depart from its public square.
12. Indeed, it is not an enemy who insults me,or else I could bear it;it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me,or else I could hide from him.
13. But it is you, a man like me,my close friend in whom I confided.