Do not be silent, O God of my praise. For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109: 1-5)

The psalms are full of enemies. The psalmists, beginning with King David, were powerful or close to the powerful. While power and paranoia tend to travel together, the threats may have been entirely real. Power attracts or, perhaps, creates enemies.

I began reading the psalms each morning two or three years ago. Part of my attraction is the fear, weakness and uncertainty of the psalmists. One hundred generations ago - and more - people of faith were often as weak and afraid - or worse - as me.

The psalms were written to be sung outloud. Seems like decent therapy to unburden ourselves from our greatest fears by singing them outloud for all to hear.