The supremacy of money, violence, luxury, prostitution and the exploitation of people. In the midst of a perverted society, the just feel trapped and threatened. Cast your care upon the Lord.
1* 2Listen to my prayer, O God, do not be deaf to my pleading; 3give heed to me and answer me.
I am greatly troubled 4at the outcry of the enemy and the clamor of the wicked.
I am distraught at the way they revile me and persecute me in their fury.
5My heart agonizes within me; the terrors of death fall upon me. 6I tremble in fear – horror has got the better of me.
7I said, “If I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest;
8I would seek a home in the desert 9or hurry to find a cave for shelter from the tempest.”
10O Lord, shatter their plans. In the city I see strife and violence; 11day and night they prowl about its walls, while inside, evil prevails.
12Forces of tyranny and treachery are at work undermining the city.
13If it were a rival insulting me, I could bear with him; if it were a foe in pursuit of me, I could hide from him.
14But it is you, an equal of mine, my bosom friend, my companion 15whose fellowship I enjoyed as we walked together in the house of God.
16Let death come upon them suddenly, let them go down to the grave alive, for within them evil and mischief thrive.
17But in God I seek refuge; the Lord will rescue me.
18Morning, evening, and even at noon, I cry out my grievance and moan; surely he will hear my voice.
19He will deliver me in safety from my opponents, for they are many.
20God who is enthroned forever will hear me and humble them, for they do not repent nor do they stand in awe of God.
21My friend has attacked his associates and has violated his pact with them.
22His words were smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his utterances, more soothing than oil, were swords ready and drawn.
23Place your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you, for he never allows the upright to fall.
24But you, O God, will cast the wicked into a pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous, they will not live out half their days. As for me, I trust in you alone, O Lord.
