Psalm 69

Psalm 69

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Lilies.”

1 Save me, O God,
for the floodwaters are up to my neck.2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water,
and the floods overwhelm me.3 I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping,
waiting for my God to help me.4 Those who hate me without cause
outnumber the hairs on my head.
Many enemies try to destroy me with lies,
demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.5 O God, you know how foolish I am;
my sins cannot be hidden from you.6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,
O Sovereign LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,
O God of Israel.7 For I endure insults for your sake;
humiliation is written all over my face.8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me;
they treat me like a stranger.9 Passion for your house has consumed me,
and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.10 When I weep and fast,
they scoff at me.11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow,
they make fun of me.12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip,
and all the drunks sing about me.13 But I keep praying to you, LORD,
hoping this time you will show me favor.
In your unfailing love, O God,
answer my prayer with your sure salvation.14 Rescue me from the mud;
don’t let me sink any deeper!
Save me from those who hate me,
and pull me from these deep waters.15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,
or the deep waters swallow me,
or the pit of death devour me.16 Answer my prayers, O LORD,
for your unfailing love is wonderful.
Take care of me,
for your mercy is so plentiful.17 Don’t hide from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!18 Come and redeem me;
free me from my enemies.19 You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
You see all that my enemies are doing.20 Their insults have broken my heart,
and I am in despair.
If only one person would show some pity;
if only one would turn and comfort me.21 But instead, they give me poisont for food;
they offer me sour wine for my thirst.22 Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare
and their prosperity become a trap.t23 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
and make their bodies shake continually.t24 Pour out your fury on them;
consume them with your burning anger.25 Let their homes become desolate
and their tents be deserted.26 To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury;
they add to the pain of those you have hurt.27 Pile their sins up high,
and don’t let them go free.28 Erase their names from the Book of Life;
don’t let them be counted among the righteous.29 I am suffering and in pain.
Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honor him with thanksgiving.31 For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing cattle,
more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.33 For the LORD hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people.34 Praise him, O heaven and earth,
the seas and all that move in them.35 For God will save Jerusalemt
and rebuild the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
and settle in their own land.36 The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land,
and those who love him will live there in safety.

PSALMS 69

God Can Be Trusted

1 Save me, God!
I am about to drown.

2 I am sinking deep in the mud,
and my feet are slipping.
I am about to be swept under
by a mighty flood.

3 I am worn out from crying,
and my throat is dry.
I have waited for you
till my eyes are blurred.

4  t There are more people
who hate me for no reason
than there are hairs
on my head.
Many terrible enemies
want to destroy me, God.
Am I supposed to give back
something I didn't steal?

5 You know my foolish sins.
Not one is hidden from you.

6 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
ruler of Israel,
don't let me embarrass anyone
who trusts and worships you.

7 It is for your sake alone
that I am insulted
and blush with shame.

8 I am like a stranger
to my relatives
and like a foreigner
to my own family.

9  t My love for your house
burns in me like a fire,
and when others insult you,
they insulted me as well.

10 I cried and went without food, t
but they still insulted me.

11 They sneered at me
for wearing sackclotht
to show my sorrow.

12 Rulers and judges gossip
about me,
and drunkards make up songs
to mock me.

13 But I pray to you, [Lord].
So when the time is right,
answer me and help me
with your wonderful love.

14 Don't let me sink in the mud,
but save me from my enemies
and from the deep water.

15 Don't let me be
swept away by a flood
or drowned in the ocean
or swallowed by death.

16 Answer me, [Lord]!
You are kind and good.
Pay attention to me!
You are truly merciful.

17 Don't turn away from me.
I am your servant,
and I am in trouble.
Please hurry and help!

18 Come and save me
from my enemies.

19 You know how I am insulted,
mocked, and disgraced;
you know every one
of my enemies.

20 I am crushed by insults,
and I feel sick.
I had hoped for mercy and pity,
but there was none.

21  t Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.

22  t Make their table a trap
for them and their friends.

23 Blind them with darkness
and make them tremble.

24 Show them how angry you are!
Be furious and catch them.

25  t Destroy their camp
and don't let anyone live
in their tents.

26 They cause trouble for people
you have already punished;
their gossip hurts those
you have wounded.

27 Make them guiltier than ever
and don't forgive them.

28  t Wipe their names from the book
of the living;
remove them from the list
of the innocent.

29 I am mistreated and in pain.
Protect me, God,
and keep me safe!

30 I will praise the [Lord] God
with a song
and a thankful heart.

31 This will please the [Lord]
better than offering an ox
or a full-grown bull.

32 When those in need see this,
they will be happy,
and the [Lord]'s worshipers
will be encouraged.

33 The [Lord] will listen
when the homeless cry out,
and he will never forget
his people in prison.

34 Heaven and earth
will praise our God,
and so will the oceans
and everything in them.

35 God will rescue Jerusalem,
and he will rebuild
the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
on their own land,

36 and when the time comes,
their children will inherit
the land.
Then everyone who loves God
will also settle there.