| Chapter 69 |
1 |
To the chief music-maker; put to Shoshannim. Of David.
Be my saviour, O God; because the waters have come in, even to my neck. --
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2 |
My feet are deep in the soft earth, where there is no support; I have come into deep waters, the waves are flowing over me. --
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3 |
I am tired with my crying; my throat is burning: my eyes are wasted with waiting for my God. --
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4 |
Those who have hate for me without cause are greater in number than the hairs of my head; those who are against me, falsely desiring my destruction, are very strong; I gave back what I had not taken away. --
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5 |
O God, you see how foolish I am; and my wrongdoing is clear to you. --
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6 |
Let not those who have hope in you be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of armies: let not those who are waiting for you be made low because of me, O God of Israel. --
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7 |
I have been wounded with sharp words because of you; my face has been covered with shame. --
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8 |
I have become strange to my brothers, and like a man from a far country to my mother's children. --
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9 |
I am on fire with passion for your house; and the hard things which are said about you have come on me. --
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10 |
My bitter weeping, and my going without food, were turned to my shame. --
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11 |
When I put on the clothing of grief, they said evil of me. --
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12 |
I am a cause of wonder to those in authority; a song to those who are given to strong drink. --
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13 |
But as for me, let my prayer be made to you, O Lord, at a time when you are pleased; O God, give me an answer in your great mercy, for your salvation is certain. --
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14 |
Take me from the grip of the sticky earth, so that I may not go down into it; let me be lifted up from the deep waters. --
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15 |
Let me not be covered by the flowing waters; let not the deep waters go over my head, and let me not be shut up in the underworld. --
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16 |
Give an answer to my words, O Lord; for your mercy is good: be turned to me, because of your great pity. --
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17 |
Let not your face be covered from your servant, for I am in trouble; quickly give me an answer. --
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18 |
Come near to my soul, for its salvation: be my saviour, because of those who are against me. --
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19 |
You have seen my shame, how I was laughed at and made low; my haters are all before you. --
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20 |
My heart is broken by bitter words, I am full of grief; I made a search for some to have pity on me, but there was no one; I had no comforter. --
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21 |
They gave me poison for my food; and bitter wine for my drink. --
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22 |
Let their table before them be for their destruction; let their feasts become a net to take them. --
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23 |
Let their eyes be blind so that they may not see; let their bodies for ever be shaking. --
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24 |
Let your curse come on them; let the heat of your wrath overtake them. --
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25 |
Give their houses to destruction, and let there be no one in their tents. --
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26 |
Because they are cruel to him against whom your hand is turned; they make bitter the grief of him who is wounded by you. --
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27 |
Let their punishment be increased; let them not come into your righteousness. --
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28 |
Let their names be taken from the book of the living, let them not be numbered with the upright. --
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29 |
But I am poor and full of sorrow; let me be lifted up by your salvation, O Lord. --
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30 |
I will give praise to the name of God with a song; I will give glory to him for what he has done. --
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31 |
This will be more pleasing to the Lord than an ox, or a young ox of full growth. --
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32 |
The poor will see it and be glad: you who are lovers of God, let your hearts have life. --
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33 |
For the ears of the Lord are open to the poor, and he takes thought for his prisoners. --
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34 |
Let the heavens and the earth give praise to him, the seas, and everything moving in them. --
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35 |
For God will be the saviour of Zion, and the builder of the towns of Judah; so that it may be their resting-place and heritage. --
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36 |
The seed of his servants will have their part in it, and there the lovers of his name will have rest. --
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