⁸ I would run away.
    I would escape from this storm of trouble.
⁹ My Lord, confuse their words and stop their plans.
    I see so much cruelty and fighting in this city.
¹⁰ Day and night, in every neighborhood,
    the city is filled with evil and trouble.
¹¹ There is so much crime in the streets.
    People who hurt and cheat others are everywhere.

¹² If it were an enemy insulting me,
    I could bear it.
If it were my enemies attacking me,
    I could hide.
¹³ But it is you, the one so close to me,
    my companion, my good friend, who does this.
¹⁴ We used to share our secrets with one another,
    as we walked through the crowds together in God’s Temple.

¹⁵ I wish death would take my enemies by surprise!
    I wish the earth would open up and swallow them alive,^[a]
    because they plan such terrible things together.

¹⁶ I will call to God for help,
    and the Lord will save me.
¹⁷ I speak to God morning, noon, and night.
    I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me!
¹⁸ I have fought in many battles,
    but he has always rescued me and brought me back safely.
¹⁹ God, who has always ruled as king,
    will hear me and punish my enemies. Selah

But they will never change.
    They don’t fear and respect God.
²⁰ This one who was once my friend now attacks his friends.
    He is breaking every promise he made.
²¹ His words about peace are as smooth as butter,
    but he has only war on his mind.
His words are as slick as oil,
    but they cut like a knife.

²² Give your worries to the Lord,
    and he will care for you.
    He will never let those who are good be defeated.

²³ But, God, you will send those liars and murderers to the grave.
    They will die before their life is half finished!
As for me, I will put my trust in you.