| New King James Version | Berean Standard Bible |
| 1To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. | 1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. |
| 2Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, | 2Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught |
| 3Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me. | 3at the voice of the enemy, at the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster upon me and resent me in their anger. |
| 4My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. | 4My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me. |
| 5Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. | 5Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me. |
| 6So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. | 6I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. |
| 7Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah | 7How far away I would flee! In the wilderness I would remain. Selah |
| 8I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.” | 8I would hurry to my shelter, far from this raging tempest.” |
| 9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. | 9O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. |
| 10Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. | 10Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within. |
| 11Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets. | 11Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets. |
| 12For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. | 12For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. |
| 13But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. | 13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. |
| 14We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng. | 14We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. |
| 15Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. | 15Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. |
| 16As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. | 16But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. |
| 17Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. | 17Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. |
| 18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. | 18He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. |
| 19God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. | 19God will hear and humiliate them—the One enthroned for the ages—Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God. |
| 20He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. | 20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. |
| 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. | 21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed. |
| 22Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. | 22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. |
| 23But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You. | 23But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. |
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