Book Two (Psalms 42-72) "Concerning Israel as a Nation"
Maschil, A Psalm of David.
1: Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2: Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3: Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4: My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5: Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6: And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7: Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in 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.
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, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14: We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15: Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell:
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
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 afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20: He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: 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: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
To the chief Musician
upon
Jonath-elem-rechokim.
18 many with me. = many [in conflict with or against] me.
Figure of speech Ellipsis.
subtitle To the chief Musician. See The Companion Bible, Appendix 64.
on = relating to.
Jonath-elem-rechokim = dove of the dumbness of the distance; i.e., "the silent dove in distant places". See The Companion Bible Appendix #65. VII..