A Prayer for the Destruction of the Deceitful

551 Give ear to my prayer , O God ; And do not hide Yourself from my supplication . 2 Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted , 3 Because of the voice of the enemy , Because e of the pressure of the wicked ; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me. 4 My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said , "Oh e , that I had wings like a dove ! I would fly away and be at rest . 7 "Behold , I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness . Selah . 8 "I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind and tempest ."

9 Confuse , O Lord , divide their tongues , For I have seen violence and strife in the city . 10 Day and night they go around her upon her walls , And iniquity and mischief are in her midst . 11 Destruction is in her midst ; Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets . 12 For 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 myself from him. 13 But it is you, a man my equal , My companion and my familiar friend ; 14 We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng . 15 Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol , For evil is in their dwelling , in their midst .

16 As for me, I shall call upon God , And the Lord will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon , I will complain and murmur , And He will hear my voice . 18 He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, For they are many who strive with me. 19 God will hear and answer them- Even the one who sits enthroned from of old - Selah . With whom there is no change , And who do not fear God . 20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant . 21 His speech was smoother than butter , But his heart was war ; His words were softer than oil , Yet they were drawn swords . 22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never e allow the righteous to be shaken . 23 But 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.