A Psalm of David

Verse 1

Save me, O GOD: for mighty streams break now into my soul:

Verse 2

In depths of mire and floods I sink, and torrents o'er me roll.

Verse 3

I with my crying weary am; my throat is thereby dry: And my eyes fail, while for my GOD, I wait attentively.

Verse 4

Those men who for no cause at all to me great hatred bear More than the hairs upon my head increas'd in number are. Yea mighty are my causeless foes, who would me hurt and slay; Then I resigned and gave up what I ne'er took away.

Verse 5

O GOD, Thou know'st my foolishness, Thou dost it fully see; And all my faults of life and heart, lie open clear to Thee.

Verse 6

Lord, LORD of hosts, let none who wait on Thee have shame for me; Nor those who seek Thee, Isr'el's God, for me confounded be.

Verse 7

Because 'tis only for thy sake, I suffer this disgrace; And for Thy sake alone it is, confusion spreads my face.

Verse 8

For Thee, to my own brethren I a stranger quite became; And to my mother's children I, an utter alien am.

Verse 9

For of thy house the fervent zeal hath ev'n consumed me; And on me their reproaches fell, who have reproached Thee.

Verse 10

My weeping, fasting, grief of soul, to my reproach were turn'd;

Verse 11

A proverb to them I became, when I in sackcloth mourn'd.

Verse 12

Who sat in gates of dignity, on me did censures pass; And I the subject of the song of stupid drunkards was.

Verse 13

But, LORD, in an accepted time I make my pray'r to Thee: In thy great mercy, O my GOD, and saving truth hear me.

Verse 14

O rescue me out of the mire, and me from sinking keep: Free me from those who hate my soul, and out of waters deep.

Verse 15

Let not the floods me overflow, nor the deep swallow me, Nor mouth of the devouring grave upon me closed be.

Verse 16

LORD hear me: for exceeding good is thy benignity; And in thy mercies multitude O turn and look to me.

Verse 17

O do not from thy servant hide, thy countenance away; For I in grievous trouble am: hear me without delay.

Verse 18

O draw Thou near my troubled soul, redeem and set it free; And from my powerful enemies, do Thou deliver me.

Verse 19

Thou knowest all my vile reproach, my shame, and my disgrace: Mine adversaries and their plots are all before thy face.

Verse 20

My heart is broken with reproach, and full of heaviness: I look'd, but found no comforter, not one to give me ease.

Verse 21

But bitter gall was all the food, they to me offer'd have; And in my parching thirst, for drink sharp vinegar they gave.

Verse 22

Before them shall their table prove a snare: and Thou wilt make Their temporal prosperity a trap, themselves to take.

Verse 23

Thick darkness on their eyes shall come, that they shall nothing see: And Thou wilt make their loins to shake for fear, continually.

Verse 24

Thou wilt thine anger on them pour; thy wrath shall seize them fast:

Verse 25

Their palace shall be desolate; and all their tents be waste:

Verse 26

For, him whom Thou hast smitten down, they persecute the more; And vex him with malicious words, whom Thou didst wound before.

Verse 27

Thou wilt them therefore justly leave to add more sin to sin; And they thy paths of righteousness shall never enter in.

Verse 28

Out of the book of living ones Thou wilt them wholly blot; And in the roll of righteous men, they never shall be wrote.

Verse 29

I'm poor, distress'd: salvation grant; raise me, O GOD, on high.

Verse 30

I'll praise the name of GOD with songs, with thanks Him magnify.

Verse 31

This will be pleasing to the LORD, and better in his eyes, Than any bullocks fat and young, mature for sacrifice.

Verse 32

And when the humble this shall see, it joy to them will give: And ye who seek the blessed GOD, your heart shall ever life.

Verse 33

Because JEHOVAH hears the poor, his pris'ners won't despise;

Verse 34

Let heav'ns, earth, seas, and ev'ry thing that moves therein Him praise.

Verse 35

For GOD will Judah's cities build, and Zion he will save; That they may dwell therein, and them for their possession have.

Verse 36

The children of his servants too inherit shall the same; And those shall have their dwelling there who truly love his name.