I will pray ¹  to God, my high ridge: ²  “Why do you ignore ³  me? Why must I walk around mourning ⁴  because my enemies oppress me?”

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song ²  by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore ³  my appeal for mercy!

because of what the enemy says, ¹  and because of how the wicked ²  pressure me, ³  for they hurl trouble ⁴  down upon me ⁵  and angrily attack me.

Their insults are painful ¹  and make me lose heart; ²  I look ³  for sympathy, but receive none, ⁴  for comforters, but find none.

Listen to the painful cries of the prisoners! ¹  Use your great strength to set free those condemned to die! ² 

For the music director; according to the gittith style; ²  by Asaph. Shout for joy to God, our source of strength! Shout out to the God of Jacob!

In your distress you called out and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. ¹  I tested you at the waters of Meribah. ²  (Selah)

My eyes grow weak because of oppression. I call out to you, O Lord, all day long; I spread out my hands in prayer to you. ¹ 

How blessed are the people who worship you! ¹  O Lord, they experience your favor. ² 

When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.

At that time we laughed loudly and shouted for joy. ¹  At that time the nations said, ²  “The Lord has accomplished great things for these people.”

A psalm of David. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my plea for help! Because of your faithfulness and justice, answer me!

Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek ¹  me, but they will not find me.

The king’s terrifying anger ¹  is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him ²  sins against himself. ³ 

Whoever shares with a thief ¹  is his own enemy; ²  he hears the oath to testify, ³  but does not talk.

“Bring a plan, make a decision! ¹  Provide some shade in the middle of the day! ²  Hide the fugitives! Do not betray ³  the one who tries to escape!

Then the guard ¹  cries out: “On the watchtower, O sovereign master, ²  I stand all day long; at my post I am stationed every night.

So I say: “Don’t look at me! ¹  I am weeping bitterly. Don’t try ²  to console me concerning the destruction of my defenseless people.” ³ 

Mourn ¹  over the land of my people, which is overgrown with thorns and briers, and over all the once-happy houses ²  in the city filled with revelry. ³ 

For look, the Lord comes with fire, his chariots come like a windstorm, ¹  to reveal his raging anger, his battle cry, and his flaming arrows. ²