Cast Your Burden upon the LORD

1(54:1) For the end, among Hymns of instruction by David. Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication.

2(54:2) Attend to me, and hearken to me: I was grieved in my meditation, and troubled;

3(54:3) because of the voice of the enemy, and because of the oppression of the sinner: for they brought iniquity against me, and were wrathfully angry with me.

4(54:4) My heart was troubled within me; and the fear of death fell upon me.

5(54:5) Fear and trembling came upon me, and darkness covered me.

6(54:6) And I said, O that I had wings as those of a dove! then would I flee away, and be at rest.

7(54:7) Lo! I have fled afar off, and lodged in the wilderness. Pause.

8(54:8) I waited for him that should deliver me from distress of spirit and tempest.

9(54:9) Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen iniquity and gain saying in the city.

10(54:10) Day and night he shall go round about it upon its walls: iniquity and sorrow and unrighteousness are in the midst of it;

11(54:11) and usury and craft have not failed from its streets.

12(54:12) For if an enemy had reproached me, I would have endured it; and if one who hated me had spoken vauntingly against me, I would have hid myself from him.

13(54:13) But thou, O man like minded, my guide, and my acquaintance,

14(54:14) who in companionship with me sweetened our food: we walked in the house of God in concord.

15(54:15) Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into Hades, for iniquity is in their dwellings, in the midst of them.

16(54:16) I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me.

17(54:17) Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known my wants: and he shall hear my voice.

18(54:18) He shall deliver my soul in peace from them that draw nigh to me: for they were with me in many cases.

19(54:19) God shall hear, and bring them low, even he that has existed from eternity. Pause. For they suffer no reverse, and therefore they have not feared God.

20(54:20) He has reached forth his hand for retribution; they have profaned his covenant.

21(54:21) They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.

22(54:22) Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23(54:23) But thou, O God, shalt bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloody and crafty men shall not live out half their days; but I will hope in thee, O Lord.