³ My adversary has pressed in, drawn closer, threatened my life;
    he’s crushed me, driven me underground.
    He’s forced me to live in the dark;
    it’s as if I joined those who died a long time ago.
⁴ That’s why my spirit is growing faint inside me; I have nothing left;
    my heart is completely empty and desolate.

⁵ And yet I can’t forget the days of old, the days I’ve heard so much about;
    I fix my mind on all You have done;
    I ponder the work of Your hands;
⁶ I reach out my hands to You.
    All that I am aches and yearns for You, like a dry land thirsting for rain.

[pause]^[a]

⁷ Hurry and answer me, O Eternal One,
    for my spirit is weak, my courage is gone.
Do not turn away; let me see Your face;
    otherwise, I’ll die and be like all those who have gone to the grave.
⁸ Make me hear of Your faithful love in the morning,
    for I trust in You.
Teach me how I should walk,
    for I offer my soul up to You.

⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Eternal One,
    for You are my shelter from them.
¹⁰ Teach me how to do Your will,
    for You are my God.
Allow Your good Spirit to guide me
    on level ground, to guide me along Your path.

¹¹ For the sake of Your name and the good of Your reputation,
    preserve me, O Eternal One.
    In Your righteousness, save my life from burden and misery.
¹² In Your loyal love, silence my enemies for good;
    destroy all those who take pleasure in my suffering,
    for I am Your faithful servant!