Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/661

 Day and night the watchmen make their rounds upon her walls, * but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.

There is corruption at her heart; * her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.

For had it been an adversary who taunted me, then I could have borne it; * or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me, then I could have hidden from him.

But it was you, a man after my own heart, * my companion, my own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together, * and walked with the throng in the house of God.

Let death come upon them suddenly; let them go down alive into the grave; * for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.

But I will call upon God, * and the will deliver me.

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, * and he will hear my voice.

He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; * for there are many who fight me.

God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; * they never change; they do not fear God.

My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; * he has broken his covenant.