69:1 For the director of music. To the tune of"Lilies." Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

69:2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

69:3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

69:4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

69:5 You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

69:6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

69:7 For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

69:8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons;

69:9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

69:10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

69:11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

69:12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

69:13 But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

69:14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

69:15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

69:16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

69:17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

69:18 Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

69:19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

69:20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

69:21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

69:22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap.

69:23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

69:24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

69:25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

69:26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

69:27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

69:28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

69:29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

69:30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

69:31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

69:32 The poor will see and be glad--you who seek God, may your hearts live!

69:33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

69:34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

69:35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

69:36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.