I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap me. ¹ 

Yet because of you ¹  we are killed all day long; we are treated like ²  sheep at the slaughtering block. ³ 

Surely ¹  one sees ²  that even wise people die; ³  fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away ⁴  and leave their wealth to others. ⁵ 

Confuse them, ¹  O Lord! Frustrate their plans! ²  For I see violence and conflict in the city.

Enemies seek to destroy my life, ¹  but they will descend into the depths of the earth. ² 

May their dining table become a trap before them! May it be a snare for that group of friends! ¹ 

Yes, ¹  look! Those far from you ²  die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. ³ 

His raging anger lashed out against them, ¹  He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster. ² 

He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power ¹  in the tents of Ham.

(May those who hate the Lord ¹  cower in fear ²  before him! May they be permanently humiliated!) ³ 

in order to protect him from times of trouble, ¹  until the wicked are destroyed. ² 

Cruel rulers ¹  are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws. ² 

He destroyed their vines and fig trees, and broke the trees throughout their territory.

The wicked prepare to kill me, ¹  yet I concentrate on your rules.

A slanderer ¹  will not endure on ²  the earth; calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down. ³ 

They will be thrown down the side of a cliff by their judges. ¹  They ²  will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.

As a demonstration of your loyal love, ¹  destroy my enemies! Annihilate ²  all who threaten my life, ³  for I am your servant.

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; ²  a prayer ³  of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. ⁴  Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. ⁵  In the shadow of your wings ⁶  I take shelter until trouble passes.

Condemn them, ¹  O God! May their own schemes be their downfall! ²  Drive them away ³  because of their many acts of insurrection, ⁴  for they have rebelled against you.

“What ¹  profit is there in taking my life, ²  in my descending into the Pit? ³  Can the dust of the grave ⁴  praise you? Can it declare your loyalty? ⁵