Hear my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my petition.
Take heed unto me, and hear me, how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast; for they are minded to do me some mischief, so maliciously are they set against me.
My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
And I said, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I flee away, and be at rest."
Lo, then would I get me away far off, and remain in the wilderness.
I would make haste to escape, because of the stormy wind and tempest.

For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonour; for then I could have borne it;
Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him;
But it was even thou, my companion, my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
We took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends.

-- Psalm 55:1-8, 12-15


They daily mistake my words; all that they imagine is to do me evil.
They hold all together, and keep themselves close, and mark my steps, when they lay in wait for my soul.

-- Psalm 56:5-6