Psalm 69

The Waters Are up to My Neck

69For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

Save me, O God,

for the waters are up to my neck.

Verse 2I have sunk into the miry depths,

where there is no footing;

I have drifted into deep waters,

where the flood engulfs me.

Verse 3I am weary from my crying;

my throat is parched.

My eyes fail,

looking for my God.

Verse 4Those who hate me without cause

outnumber the hairs of my head;

many are those who would destroy me—

my enemies for no reason.

Though I did not steal,

I must repay.

Verse 5You know my folly, O God,

and my guilt is not hidden from You.

Verse 6May those who hope in You not be ashamed through me,

O Lord GOD of Hosts;

may those who seek You not be dishonored through me,

O God of Israel.

Verse 7For I have endured scorn for Your sake,

and shame has covered my face.

Verse 8I have become a stranger to my brothers

and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,

Verse 9because zeal for Your house has consumed me,

and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

Verse 10I wept and fasted,

but it brought me reproach.

Verse 11I made sackcloth my clothing,

and I was sport to them.

Verse 12Those who sit at the gate mock me,

and I am the song of drunkards.

Verse 13But my prayer to You, O LORD,

is for a time of favor.

In Your abundant loving devotion, O God,

answer me with Your sure salvation.

Verse 14Rescue me from the mire

and do not let me sink;

deliver me from my foes

and out of the deep waters.

Verse 15Do not let the floods engulf me

or the depths swallow me up;

let not the Pit close its mouth over me.

Verse 16Answer me, O LORD,

for Your loving devotion is good;

turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

Verse 17Hide not Your face from Your servant,

for I am in distress.

Answer me quickly!

Verse 18Draw near to my soul and redeem me;

ransom me because of my foes.

Verse 19You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace.

All my adversaries are before You.

Verse 20Insults have broken my heart,

and I am in despair.

I looked for sympathy, but there was none,

for comforters, but I found no one.

Verse 21They poisoned my food with gall

and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.

Verse 22May their table become a snare;

may it be a retribution and a trap.

Verse 23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,

and their backs be bent forever.

Verse 24Pour out Your wrath upon them,

and let Your burning anger overtake them.

Verse 25May their place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

Verse 26For they persecute the one You struck

and recount the pain of those You wounded.

Verse 27Add iniquity to their iniquity;

let them not share in Your righteousness.

Verse 28May they be blotted out of the Book of Life

and not listed with the righteous.

Verse 29But I am in pain and distress;

let Your salvation protect me, O God.

Verse 30I will praise God’s name in song

and exalt Him with thanksgiving.

Verse 31And this will please the LORD more than an ox,

more than a bull with horns and hooves.

Verse 32The humble will see and rejoice.

You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!

Verse 33For the LORD listens to the needy

and does not despise His captive people.

Verse 34Let heaven and earth praise Him,

the seas and everything that moves in them.

Verse 35For God will save Zion

and rebuild the cities of Judah,

that they may dwell there and possess it.

Verse 36The descendants of His servants will inherit it,

and those who love His name will settle in it.