Psalm 69:8-34

Good News Translation

^9 (A)My devotion to your Temple burns in me like a fire;
    the insults which are hurled at you fall on me.
¹⁰ I humble myself^[a] by fasting,
    and people insult me;
¹¹ I dress myself in clothes of mourning,
    and they laugh at me.
¹² They talk about me in the streets,
    and drunkards make up songs about me.

¹³ But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord;
    answer me, God, at a time you choose.
Answer me because of your great love,
    because you keep your promise to save.
¹⁴ Save me from sinking in the mud;
    keep me safe from my enemies,
    safe from the deep water.
¹⁵ Don't let the flood come over me;
    don't let me drown in the depths
    or sink into the grave.

¹⁶ Answer me, Lord, in the goodness of your constant love;
    in your great compassion turn to me!
¹⁷ Don't hide yourself from your servant;
    I am in great trouble—answer me now!
¹⁸ Come to me and save me;
    rescue me from my enemies.

¹⁹ You know how I am insulted,
    how I am disgraced and dishonored;
    you see all my enemies.
²⁰ Insults have broken my heart,
    and I am in despair.
I had hoped for sympathy, but there was none;
    for comfort, but I found none.
^21 (B)When I was hungry, they gave me poison;
    when I was thirsty, they offered me vinegar.

^22 (C)May their banquets cause their ruin;
    may their sacred feasts cause their downfall.
²³ Strike them with blindness!
    Make their backs always weak!
²⁴ Pour out your anger on them;
    let your indignation overtake them.
^25 (D)May their camps be left deserted;
    may no one be left alive in their tents.
²⁶ They persecute those whom you have punished;
    they talk about the sufferings of those you have wounded.
²⁷ Keep a record of all their sins;
    don't let them have any part in your salvation.
^28 (E)May their names be erased from the book of the living;
    may they not be included in the list of your people.

²⁹ But I am in pain and despair;
    lift me up, O God, and save me!

³⁰ I will praise God with a song;
    I will proclaim his greatness by giving him thanks.
³¹ This will please the Lord more than offering him cattle,
    more than sacrificing a full-grown bull.
³² When the oppressed see this, they will be glad;
    those who worship God will be encouraged.
³³ The Lord listens to those in need
    and does not forget his people in prison.

³⁴ Praise God, O heaven and earth,
    seas and all creatures in them.