Dual PanelBetrayed by a friend
1Listen, God, to my prayer! Don't reject my request.
2Please listen and help me. My thoughts are troubled, and I keep groaning
3because my loud enemies shout and attack. They treat me terribly and hold angry grudges.
4My heart is racing fast, and I am afraid of dying.
5I am trembling with fear, completely terrified.
6I wish I had wings like a dove, so I could fly far away and be at peace.
7I would go and live in some distant desert.
8I would quickly find shelter from howling winds and raging storms.
9Confuse my enemies, Lord! Upset their plans. Cruelty and violence are all I see in the city,
10and they are like guards on patrol day and night. The city is full of trouble, evil,
11and corruption. Troublemakers and liars freely roam the streets.
12My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them.
13But it was my closest friend, the one I trusted most.
14We enjoyed being together, and we went with others to your house, our God.
15All who hate me are controlled by the power of evil. Sentence them to death and send them down alive to the world of the dead.
16I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe.
17Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints.
18I am attacked from all sides, but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle.
19You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won't turn and worship you.
20My friend turned against me and broke his promise.
21His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.
22Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won't let us fall.
23But what about those people who are cruel and brutal? You will throw them down into the deepest pit long before their time. I trust you, Lord!