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 underby a mighty flood.
3 I am worn out from crying,and my throat is dry.I have waited for youtill my eyes are blurred.
4 There are more peoplewho hate me for no reasonthan there are hairson my head.Many terrible enemieswant to destroy me, God.Am I supposed to give backsomething 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 anyonewho trusts and worships you.
7 It is for your sake alonethat I am insultedand blush with shame.
8 I am like a strangerto my relativesand like a foreignerto my own family.
9 My love for your houseburns 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 mefor wearing sackclothto show my sorrow.
12 Rulers and judges gossipabout me,and drunkards make up songsto mock me.
13 But I pray to you, Lord.So when the time is right,answer me and help mewith your wonderful love.
14 Don't let me sink in the mud,but save me from my enemiesand from the deep water.
15 Don't let me beswept away by a floodor drowned in the oceanor 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 mefrom my enemies.
19 You know how I am insulted,mocked, and disgraced;you know every oneof 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 trapfor them and their friends.
23 Blind them with darknessand make them tremble.
24 Show them how angry you are!Be furious and catch them.
25 Destroy their campand don't let anyone livein their tents.
26 They cause trouble for peopleyou have already punished;their gossip hurts thoseyou have wounded.
27 Make them guiltier than everand don't forgive them.
28 Wipe their names from the bookof the living;remove them from the listof the innocent.
29 I am mistreated and in pain.Protect me, God,and keep me safe!
30 I will praise the Lord Godwith a songand a thankful heart.
31 This will please the Lordbetter than offering an oxor a full-grown bull.
32 When those in need see this,they will be happy,and the Lord's worshiperswill be encouraged.
33 The Lord will listenwhen the homeless cry out,and he will never forgethis people in prison.
34 Heaven and earthwill praise our God,and so will the oceansand everything in them.
35 God will rescue Jerusalem,and he will rebuildthe towns of Judah.His people will live thereon their own land,
36 and when the time comes,their children will inheritthe land.Then everyone who loves Godwill also settle there.