Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁹ Lord, have mercy, because I am in misery.
    My eyes are weak from so much crying,
    and my whole being is tired from grief.
¹⁰ My life is ending in sadness,
    and my years are spent in crying.
My troubles are using up my strength,
    and my bones are getting weaker.
¹¹ Because of all my troubles, my enemies hate me,
    and even my neighbors look down on me.
When my friends see me,
    they are afraid and run.
¹² I am like a piece of a broken pot.
    I am forgotten as if I were dead.
¹³ I have heard many insults.
    Terror is all around me.
They make plans against me
    and want to kill me.

¹⁴ Lord, I trust you.
    I have said, “You are my God.”
¹⁵ My life is in your hands.
    Save me from my enemies
    and from those who are chasing me.
¹⁶ Show your kindness to me, your servant.
    Save me because of your love.

¹³ “Be quiet and let me speak.
    Let things happen to me as they will.
¹⁴ Why should I put myself in danger
    and take my life in my own hands?
¹⁵ Even if God kills me, I have hope in him;
    I will still defend my ways to his face.
¹⁶ This is my salvation.
    The wicked cannot come before him.
¹⁷ Listen carefully to my words;
    let your ears hear what I say.
¹⁸ See, I have prepared my case,
    and I know I will be proved right.
¹⁹ No one can accuse me of doing wrong.
    If someone can, I will be quiet and die.