*

To the

Maschil, A Psalm of David: when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul,and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

WHY boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of Godendureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs: like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

3 Thou lovest evil

4 Thou lovest all devour- : ing words, bo thou deceitful tongue.

5 God shall likewise : e destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him.' Lo,this is the man

strength but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his d wickedness.

8 But I am like a green

a Or, that I should give it.

b Or, and the deceitful tongue. c Heb, beat thee dowu. d Or, substance.

me : and

pained within the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath a overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove; for then would I 7 flee away and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in 8 the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm, and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues : for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

* יִרְאָה

a Heb. covered me.

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it, neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him. 13 But it was thou, ba man, mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaint ance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let 15 death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into d hell: for wickedness is in their and among

16 As for me, I will call upon God: and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear and 19 afflict them, even he that abideth of old, Selah :

b Heb. a man according to my rank. c Heb. Who sweetened counsel.

d Or, the grave,

יראו Because they have no אֲשֶׁר אֵין חֲלִיפוֹת לָמוֹ וְלֹא

זן:

changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: b he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he :

shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: d bloody and deceitful men e shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in thee.

LVI.

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

BE merciful unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up : he fighting daily, oppresseth me. 2 g Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most high.

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do unto

me.

5 Every day they wrest my words : all their thoughts are against me

a Or, With whom also there be no changes, yet they fear not God. d Heb. men of bloods and deceit.

e Heb. shall not half their days.

g Heb. Mine observers.

b Heb. he hath profaned.

c Or, gift.

f Or, A golden Psalm of David.