Chapter 69
001
(For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Lilies." By Davina.) Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck!
002
I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
003
I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
004
Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn't take away.
005
God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren't hidden from you.
006
Don't let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Domina Yahweh of Armies. Don't let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel.
007
Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face.
008
I have become a stranger to my sisters, an alien to my father's children.
009
For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
010
When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach.
011
When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.
012
Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards.
013
But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.
014
Deliver me out of the mire, and don't let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.
015
Don't let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don't let the pit shut its mouth on me.
016
Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.
017
Don't hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily!
018
Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.
019
You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you.
020
Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none.
021
They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
022
Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap.
023
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see. Let their backs be continually bent.
024
Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
025
Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.
026
For they persecute her whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.
027
Charge them with crime upon crime. Don't let them come into your righteousness.
028
Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.
029
But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.
030
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify her with thanksgiving.
031
It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.
032
The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live.
033
For Yahweh hears the needy, and doesn't despise her captive people.
034
Let heaven and earth praise her; the seas, and everything that moves therein!
035
For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it.
036
The children also of her servants shall inherit it. Those who love her name shall dwell therein.