1 Save me, God!

I am about to drown.

2 I am sinking deep in the mud,

and my feet are slipping.

I am about to be swept under

by a mighty flood.

3 I am worn out from crying,

and my throat is dry.

I have waited for you

till my eyes are blurred.

4 * There are more people

who hate me for no reason

than there are hairs

on my head.

Many terrible enemies

want to destroy me, God.

Am I supposed to give back

something I didn't steal?

5 You know my foolish sins.

Not one is hidden from you.

6 Lord God All-Powerful,

ruler of Israel,

don't let me embarrass anyone

who trusts and worships you.

7 It is for your sake alone

that I am insulted

and blush with shame.

8 I am like a stranger

to my relatives

and like a foreigner

to my own family.

9 * My love for your house

burns in me like a fire,

and when others insult you,

they insulted me as well.

10 I cried and went without food,*

but they still insulted me.

11 They sneered at me

for wearing sackcloth*

to show my sorrow.

12 Rulers and judges gossip

about me,

and drunkards make up songs

to mock me.

13 But I pray to you, Lord.

So when the time is right,

answer me and help me

with your wonderful love.

14 Don't let me sink in the mud,

but save me from my enemies

and from the deep water.

15 Don't let me be

swept away by a flood

or drowned in the ocean

or swallowed by death.

16 Answer me, Lord!

You are kind and good.

Pay attention to me!

You are truly merciful.

17 Don't turn away from me.

I am your servant,

and I am in trouble.

Please hurry and help!

18 Come and save me

from my enemies.

19 You know how I am insulted,

mocked, and disgraced;

you know every one

of my enemies.

20 I am crushed by insults,

and I feel sick.

I had hoped for mercy and pity,

but there was none.

21 * Enemies poisoned my food,

and when I was thirsty,

they gave me vinegar.

22 * Make their table a trap

for them and their friends.

23 Blind them with darkness

and make them tremble.

24 Show them how angry you are!

Be furious and catch them.

25 * Destroy their camp

and don't let anyone live

in their tents.

26 They cause trouble for people

you have already punished;

their gossip hurts those

you have wounded.

27 Make them guiltier than ever

and don't forgive them.

28 * Wipe their names from the book

of the living;

remove them from the list

of the innocent.

29 I am mistreated and in pain.

Protect me, God,

and keep me safe!

30 I will praise the Lord God

with a song

and a thankful heart.

31 This will please the Lord

better than offering an ox

or a full-grown bull.

32 When those in need see this,

they will be happy,

and the Lord's worshipers

will be encouraged.

33 The Lord will listen

when the homeless cry out,

and he will never forget

his people in prison.

34 Heaven and earth

will praise our God,

and so will the oceans

and everything in them.

35 God will rescue Jerusalem,

and he will rebuild

the towns of Judah.

His people will live there

on their own land,

36 and when the time comes,

their children will inherit

the land.

Then everyone who loves God

will also settle there.