(By David for the music leader. To the tune "Lilies.")
God Can Be Trusted
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 Ps 35.19;Jn 15.25. 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 Jn 2.17;Ro 15.3. 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,69.10 went without food: See the note at 35.13.
but they still insulted me.
11 They sneered at me
for wearing sackcloth69.11 sackcloth: See the note at 30.11.
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 Mt 27.48;Mk 15.36;Lk 23.36;Jn 19.28,29. Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.
22 Ro 11.9,10. 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 Ac 1.20. 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 Ex 32.32;Rev 3.5;13.8;17.8. 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.