Psalm 69:1–21

¹For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

Save me, O God,

for the waters are up to my neck.

²I have sunk into the miry depths,

where there is no footing;

I have drifted into deep waters,

where the flood engulfs me.

³I am weary from my crying;

my throat is parched.

My eyes fail,

looking for my God.

⁴Those who hate me without cause

outnumber the hairs of my head;

many are those who would destroy me —

my enemies for no reason.^a

Though I did not steal,

I must repay.

⁵You know my folly, O God,

and my guilt is not hidden from You.

⁶May 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.

⁷For I have endured scorn for Your sake,

and shame has covered my face.

⁸I have become a stranger to my brothers

and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,

⁹because zeal for Your house has consumed me,^b

and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.^c

¹⁰I wept and fasted,

but it brought me reproach.

¹¹I made sackcloth my clothing,

and I was sport to them.

¹²Those who sit at the gate mock me,

and I am the song of drunkards.

¹³But 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.

¹⁴Rescue me from the mire

and do not let me sink;

deliver me from my foes

and out of the deep waters.

¹⁵Do not let the floods engulf me

or the depths swallow me up;

let not the Pit close its mouth over me.

¹⁶Answer me, O LORD,

for Your loving devotion is good;

turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

¹⁷Hide not Your face from Your servant,

for I am in distress.

Answer me quickly!

¹⁸Draw near to my soul and redeem me;

ransom me because of my foes.

¹⁹You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace.

All my adversaries are before You.

²⁰Insults have broken my heart,

and I am in despair.

I looked for sympathy, but there was none,

for comforters, but I found no one.

²¹They poisoned my food with gall

and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.