[1] Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
[2] Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
[3] I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
[4] Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head. Many enemies try to destroy me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.
[5] O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.
[6] Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.
[7] For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face.
[8] Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
[9] Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
[10] When I weep and fast, they scoff at me.
[11] When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me.
[12] I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
[13] But I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
[14] Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters.
[15] Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me.
[16] Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.
[17] Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
[18] Come and redeem me; free me from my enemies.
[19] You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing.
[20] Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.
[21] But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.
[22] Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare and their prosperity become a trap.
[23] Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and make their bodies shake continually.
[24] Pour out your fury on them; consume them with your burning anger.
[25] Let their homes become desolate and their tents be deserted.
[26] To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury; they add to the pain of those you have hurt.
[27] Pile their sins up high, and don’t let them go free.
[28] Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.
[29] I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.
[30] Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
[31] For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
[32] The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
[33] For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.
[34] Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.
[35] For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land.
[36] The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety.