52 Those who were my enemies for no reason at all

hunted me down as if I were a bird.

53 They tried to end my life

by throwing me into a deep pit.

They threw stones down at me.

54 The water rose and covered my head.

I thought I was going to die.

55 Lord, I called out to you.

I called out from the bottom of the pit.

56 I prayed, “Please don’t close your ears

to my cry for help.”

And you heard my appeal.

57 You came near when I called out to you.

You said, “Do not be afraid.”

58 Lord, you stood up for me in court.

You saved my life and set me free.

59 Lord, you have seen the wrong things

people have done to me.

Stand up for me again!

60 You have seen how my enemies

have tried to get even with me.

You know all about their plans against me.

61 Lord, you have heard them laugh at me.

You know all about their plans against me.

62 You have heard my enemies

whispering among themselves.

They speak against me all day long.

63 Just look at them sitting and standing there!

They sing and make fun of me.

64 Lord, pay them back.

Punish them for what their hands have done.

65 Cover their minds with a veil.

Put a curse on them!

66 Lord, get angry with them and hunt them down.

Wipe them off the face of the earth.