Chapter 54

A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas.

1. 1

   Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.

2. 2

   Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication: 3 be attentive to me, and hear me.

3. 5

   My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

4. 6

   Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me.

5. 7

   And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?

6. 8

   Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.

7. 9

   I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm.

8. 10

   Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.

9. 11

   Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour, 12 and injustice.

10. 13

    For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it.

11. 14

    But thou, a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar:

12. 15

    Who didst take sweet meats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent.

13. 16

    Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell.

14. 17

    But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me.

15. 18

    Evening and morning, and at noon, I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice.

16. 19

    He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me.

17. 20

    God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them.

18. 23

    Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.

19. 24

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction.