Psalms 69:1-23 ▼

1 For the one directing. According to “The Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to the soul.

2 I sink in the mire of the deep, and there is no place to stand; I have come into the depths of the waters, and a flood washes over me.

3 I have grown weary with my calling out; my throat is dry; my eyes fail, waiting for my God.

4 Those hating me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those seeking my destruction, my enemies with deception! That which I did not steal, I must then return.

5 O God, You know of my foolishness, and my guilt is not hidden from You.

6 Do not let those waiting on You come to shame because of me, O Lord YHWH of hosts; do not let those seeking You be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel!

7 It is for Your sake that I have carried scorn, and shame has covered my face.

8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, and a foreigner to the sons of my mother.

9 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those insulting You have fallen on me.

10 I even wept in the fasting of my soul, and it was for a reproach to me.

11 I made my clothing sackcloth, and I became to them as a byword.

12 Those sitting at the gate meditate against me, and I am the song of those drinking wine.

13 And I—my prayer is to You, O YHWH; in the time of favor, O God, in the abundance of Your loving devotion, may You answer me in the truth of Your salvation!

14 Deliver me from the mire, that I should not sink! May I be delivered from those hating me, and out of the depths of the waters.

15 Do not let the flood of waters engulf me, and do not let the deep swallow me up, and do not let the pit shut its mouth over me!

16 Answer me, O YHWH, for good is Your loving devotion; according to the abundance of Your tender mercies, turn to me.

17 And do not hide Your face from Your servant, for distress is unto me; hurry to answer me!

18 Draw near to my soul and redeem it; on account of my enemies, may You ransom me.

19 You know my scorn, and my shame, and my disgrace; all my adversaries are before You.

20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am sick. And I looked for a bemoaner, and there was none, and for comforters, and I found none.

21 And they gave gall for my food, and for my thirst they made me drink vinegar.

22 May their table before them become a snare, and for a recompense—for a trap!

23 May their eyes grow dark from seeing, and their backs be bent forever!