1 To him that excelleth upon Shoshannim. A Psalme of David. Save mee, O God: for the waters are entred euen to my soule. 2 I sticke fast in the deepe myre, where no staie is: I am come into deepe waters, and the streames runne ouer me. 3 I am wearie of crying: my throte is drie: mine eyes faile, whiles I waite for my God. 4 They that hate mee without a cause, are moe then the heares of mine heade: they that would destroy mee, and are mine enemies falsly, are mightie, so that I restored that which I tooke not. 5 O God, thou knowest my foolishnesse, and my fautes are not hid from thee. 6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hostes, be ashamed for me: let not those that seeke thee, be confounded through mee, O God of Israel. 7 For thy sake haue I suffred reproofe: shame hath couered my face. 8 I am become a stranger vnto my brethren, euen an aliant vnto my mothers sonnes. 9 For the zeale of thine house hath eaten mee, and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee, are fallen vpon me. 10 I wept and my soule fasted, but that was to my reproofe. 11 I put on a sacke also: and I became a prouerbe vnto them. 12 They that sate in the gate, spake of mee, and the drunkards sang of me. 13 But Lord, I make my praier vnto thee in an acceptable time, euen in the multitude of thy mercie: O God, heare me in the trueth of thy saluation. 14 Deliuer mee out of the myre, that I sinke not: let me be deliuered from them that hate me, and out of the deepe waters. 15 Let not the water flood drowne mee, neither let the deepe swallowe me vp: and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon me. 16 Heare me, O Lord, for thy louing kindnes is good: turne vnto me according to ye multitude of thy tender mercies. 17 And hide not thy face from thy seruant, for I am in trouble: make haste and heare me. 18 Draw neere vnto my soule and redeeme it: deliuer me because of mine enemies. 19 Thou hast knowen my reproofe and my shame, and my dishonour: all mine aduersaries are before thee. 20 Rebuke hath broken mine heart, and I am full of heauinesse, and I looked for some to haue pitie on me, but there was none: and for comforters, but I found none. 21 For they gaue me gall in my meate, and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drinke. 22 Let their table be a snare before them, and their prosperitie their ruine. 23 Let their eyes be blinded that they see not: and make their loynes alway to tremble. 24 Powre out thine anger vpon them, and let thy wrathfull displeasure take them. 25 Let their habitation be voide, and let none dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him, whome thou hast smitten: and they adde vnto the sorrowe of them, whome thou hast wounded. 27 Laie iniquitie vpon their iniquitie, and let them not come into thy righteousnesse. 28 Let them be put out of the booke of life, neither let them be written with the righteous. 29 When I am poore and in heauinesse, thine helpe, O God, shall exalt me. 30 I will praise the Name of God with a song, and magnifie him with thankesgiuing. 31 This also shall please the Lord better then a yong bullocke, that hath hornes and hoofes. 32 The humble shall see this, and they that seeke God, shalbe glad, and your heart shall liue. 33 For the Lord heareth the poore, and despiseth not his prisoners. 34 Let heauen and earth praise him: the seas and all that moueth in them. 35 For God will saue Zion, and builde the cities of Iudah, that men may dwell there and haue it in possession. 36 The seede also of his seruants shall inherit it: and they that loue his name, shall dwel therein.
A Cry for Help
1 Save me, O God!
The water is up to my neck;
2 I am sinking in deep mud,
and there is no solid ground;
I am out in deep water,
and the waves are about to drown me.
3 I am worn out from calling for help,
and my throat is aching.
I have strained my eyes,
looking for your help.
4 Those who hate me for no reason
are more numerous than the hairs of my head.
My enemies tell lies against me;
they are strong and want to kill me.
They made me give back things I did not steal.
5 My sins, O God, are not hidden from you;
you know how foolish I have been.
6 Don't let me bring shame on those who trust in you,
Sovereign Lord Almighty!
Don't let me bring disgrace to those who worship you,
O God of Israel!
7 It is for your sake that I have been insulted
and that I am covered with shame.
8 I am like a stranger to my relatives,
like a foreigner to my family.
9 My devotion to your Temple burns in me like a fire;
the insults which are hurled at you fall on me.
10 I humble myself by fasting,
and people insult me;
11 I dress myself in clothes of mourning,
and they laugh at me.
12 They talk about me in the streets,
and drunkards make up songs about me.
13 But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord;
answer me, God, at a time you choose.
Answer me because of your great love,
because you keep your promise to save.
14 Save me from sinking in the mud;
keep me safe from my enemies,
safe from the deep water.
15 Don't let the flood come over me;
don't let me drown in the depths
or sink into the grave.
16 Answer me, Lord, in the goodness of your constant love;
in your great compassion turn to me!
17 Don't hide yourself from your servant;
I am in great trouble—answer me now!
18 Come to me and save me;
rescue me from my enemies.
19 You know how I am insulted,
how I am disgraced and dishonored;
you see all my enemies.
20 Insults have broken my heart,
and I am in despair.
I had hoped for sympathy, but there was none;
for comfort, but I found none.
21 When I was hungry, they gave me poison;
when I was thirsty, they offered me vinegar.
22 May their banquets cause their ruin;
may their sacred feasts cause their downfall.
23 Strike them with blindness!
Make their backs always weak!
24 Pour out your anger on them;
let your indignation overtake them.
25 May their camps be left deserted;
may no one be left alive in their tents.
26 They persecute those whom you have punished;
they talk about the sufferings of those you have wounded.
27 Keep a record of all their sins;
don't let them have any part in your salvation.
28 May their names be erased from the book of the living;
may they not be included in the list of your people.
29 But I am in pain and despair;
lift me up, O God, and save me!
30 I will praise God with a song;
I will proclaim his greatness by giving him thanks.
31 This will please the Lord more than offering him cattle,
more than sacrificing a full-grown bull.
32 When the oppressed see this, they will be glad;
those who worship God will be encouraged.
33 The Lord listens to those in need
and does not forget his people in prison.
34 Praise God, O heaven and earth,
seas and all creatures in them.
35 He will save Jerusalem
and rebuild the towns of Judah.
His people will live there and possess the land;
36 the descendants of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love him will live there.