An Urgent Plea for Help in Trouble

To the Chief Musician. Set to [a]“The Lilies.” A Psalm of David.

69 Save me, O God!
For (A)the waters have come up to my [b]neck.
(B)I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
(C)I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
(D)My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Those who (E)hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it.

O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.
Let not those who [c]wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be [d]confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 69:1 Heb. Shoshannim
  2. Psalm 69:1 Lit. soul
  3. Psalm 69:6 Wait in faith
  4. Psalm 69:6 dishonored

Psalm 69[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

Save me, O God,
    for the waters(A) have come up to my neck.(B)
I sink in the miry depths,(C)
    where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
    the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;(D)
    my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,(E)
    looking for my God.
Those who hate me(F) without reason(G)
    outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,(H)
    those who seek to destroy me.(I)
I am forced to restore
    what I did not steal.

You, God, know my folly;(J)
    my guilt is not hidden from you.(K)

Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    may those who hope in you
    not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
    may those who seek you
    not be put to shame because of me.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 69:1 In Hebrew texts 69:1-36 is numbered 69:2-37.

13 But as for me, my prayer is to You,
O Lord, in the acceptable time;
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.
14 Deliver me out of the mire,
And let me not sink;
Let me be delivered from those who hate me,
And out of the deep waters.
15 Let not the floodwater overflow me,
Nor let the deep swallow me up;
And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

16 Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good;
Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.
17 And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in trouble;
Hear me speedily.
18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it;
Deliver me because of my enemies.

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13 But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;(A)
in your great love,(B) O God,
    answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters.(C)
15 Do not let the floodwaters(D) engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up(E)
    or the pit close its mouth over me.(F)

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;(G)
    in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face(H) from your servant;
    answer me quickly,(I) for I am in trouble.(J)
18 Come near and rescue me;
    deliver(K) me because of my foes.

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