Psalms - Chapter 69

1<To the chief music-maker; put to Shoshannim. Of David.> Be my saviour, O God; because the waters have come in, even to my neck. 2My feet are deep in the soft earth, where there is no support; I have come into deep waters, the waves are flowing over me. 3I am tired with my crying; my throat is burning: my eyes are wasted with waiting for my God. 4Those who have hate for me without cause are greater in number than the hairs of my head; those who are against me, falsely desiring my destruction, are very strong; I gave back what I had not taken away. 5O God, you see how foolish I am; and my wrongdoing is clear to you. 6Let not those who have hope in you be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of armies: let not those who are waiting for you be made low because of me, O God of Israel. 7I have been wounded with sharp words because of you; my face has been covered with shame. 8I have become strange to my brothers, and like a man from a far country to my mother's children. 9I am on fire with passion for your house; and the hard things which are said about you have come on me. 10My bitter weeping, and my going without food, were turned to my shame. 11When I put on the clothing of grief, they said evil of me. 12I am a cause of wonder to those in authority; a song to those who are given to strong drink. 13But as for me, let my prayer be made to you, O Lord, at a time when you are pleased; O God, give me an answer in your great mercy, for your salvation is certain. 14Take me from the grip of the sticky earth, so that I may not go down into it; let me be lifted up from the deep waters. 15Let me not be covered by the flowing waters; let not the deep waters go over my head, and let me not be shut up in the underworld. 16Give an answer to my words, O Lord; for your mercy is good: be turned to me, because of your great pity. 17Let not your face be covered from your servant, for I am in trouble; quickly give me an answer. 18Come near to my soul, for its salvation: be my saviour, because of those who are against me. 19You have seen my shame, how I was laughed at and made low; my haters are all before you. 20My heart is broken by bitter words, I am full of grief; I made a search for some to have pity on me, but there was no one; I had no comforter. 21They gave me poison for my food; and bitter wine for my drink. 22Let their table before them be for their destruction; let their feasts become a net to take them. 23Let their eyes be blind so that they may not see; let their bodies for ever be shaking. 24Let your curse come on them; let the heat of your wrath overtake them. 25Give their houses to destruction, and let there be no one in their tents. 26Because they are cruel to him against whom your hand is turned; they make bitter the grief of him who is wounded by you. 27Let their punishment be increased; let them not come into your righteousness. 28Let their names be taken from the book of the living, let them not be numbered with the upright. 29But I am poor and full of sorrow; let me be lifted up by your salvation, O Lord. 30I will give praise to the name of God with a song; I will give glory to him for what he has done. 31This will be more pleasing to the Lord than an ox, or a young ox of full growth. 32The poor will see it and be glad: you who are lovers of God, let your hearts have life. 33For the ears of the Lord are open to the poor, and he takes thought for his prisoners. 34Let the heavens and the earth give praise to him, the seas, and everything moving in them. 35For God will be the saviour of Zion, and the builder of the towns of Judah; so that it may be their resting-place and heritage. 36The seed of his servants will have their part in it, and there the lovers of his name will have rest.