Skip to content
Opens in a new window
Listen to this chapter • 4:40

[1] Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.

[2] I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.

[3] I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

[4] Those 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.

[5] You know my folly, O God, and my guilt is not hidden from You.

[6] May 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.

[7] For I have endured scorn for Your sake, and shame has covered my face.

[8] I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,

[9] because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

[10] I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.

[11] I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them.

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

[13] But 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.

[14] Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters.

[15] Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.

[16] Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

[17] Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!

[18] Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes.

[19] You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.

[20] Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.

[21] They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.

[22] May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.

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

[24] Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.

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

[26] For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded.

[27] Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness.

[28] May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous.

[29] But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.

[30] I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.

[31] And this will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves.

[32] The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!

[33] For the LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people.

[34] Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.

[35] For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it.

[36] The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will settle in it.

Psalms — Chapters