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

[1] Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David. [2] Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication: [3] Be attentive to me and hear me. I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled, [4] At the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me. [5] My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

[6] Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me. [7] And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? [8] Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness. [9] I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm. [10] Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.

[11] Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour, [12] And injustice. And usury and deceit have not departed from its streets. [13] For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it. And if he that hated me had spoken great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him. [14] But thou a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar, [15] Who didst take sweetmeats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent.

[16] Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them. [17] But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me. [18] Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice. [19] He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me. [20] God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God:

[16] "Let death": This, and such like imprecations which occur in the psalms, are delivered prophetically; that is, by way of foretelling the punishments which shall fall upon the wicked from divine justice, and approving the righteous ways of God: but not by way of ill will, or uncharitable curses, which the law of God disallows.

[19] "Among many": That is, they that drew near to attack me were many in company all combined to fight against me.

[21] He hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant, [22] They are divided by the wrath Of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts. [23] Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever. [24] 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, O Lord.

[22] "They are divided": Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of God; who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways.