Psalm 69:1-36 NCV

[1] God, save me, because the water has risen to my neck. [2] I'm sinking down into the mud, and there is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water, and the flood covers me. [3] I am tired from calling for help; my throat is sore. My eyes are tired from waiting for God to help me. [4] There are more people who hate me for no reason than hairs on my head; powerful enemies want to destroy me for no reason. They make me pay back what I did not steal. [5] God, you know what I have done wrong; I cannot hide my guilt from you. [6] Lord GOD All-Powerful, do not let those who hope in you be ashamed because of me. God of Israel, do not let your worshipers be disgraced because of me. [7] For you, I carry this shame, and my face is covered with disgrace. [8] I am like a stranger to my closest relatives and a foreigner to my mother's children. [9] My strong love for your Temple completely controls me. When people insult you, it hurts me. [10] When I cry and fast, they make fun of me. [11] When I wear clothes of sadness, they joke about me. [12] They make fun of me in public places, and the drunkards make up songs about me. [13] But I pray to you, LORD, for favor. God, because of your great love, answer me. You are truly able to save. [14] Pull me from the mud, and do not let me sink. Save me from those who hate me and from the deep water. [15] Do not let the flood drown me or the deep water swallow me or the grave close its mouth over me. [16] LORD, answer me because your love is so good. Because of your great kindness, turn to me. [17] Do not hide from me, your servant. I am in trouble. Hurry to help me! [18] Come near and save me; rescue me from my enemies. [19] You see my shame and disgrace. You know all my enemies and what they have said. [20] Insults have broken my heart and left me weak. I looked for sympathy, but there was none; I found no one to comfort me. [21] They put poison in my food and gave me vinegar to drink. [22] Let their own feasts cause their ruin; let their feasts trap them and pay them back. [23] Let their eyes be closed so they cannot see and their backs be forever weak from troubles. [24] Pour your anger out on them; let your anger catch up with them. [25] May their place be empty; leave no one to live in their tents. [26] They chase after those you have hurt, and they talk about the pain of those you have wounded. [27] Charge them with crime after crime, and do not let them have anything good. [28] Wipe their names from the book of life, and do not list them with those who do what is right. [29] I am sad and hurting. God, save me and protect me. [30] I will praise God in a song and will honor him by giving thanks. [31] That will please the LORD more than offering him cattle, more than sacrificing a bull with horns and hoofs. [32] Poor people will see this and be glad. Be encouraged, you who worship God. [33] The LORD listens to those in need and does not look down on captives. [34] Heaven and earth should praise him, the seas and everything in them. [35] God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will live there and own the land. [36] The descendants of his servants will inherit that land, and those who love him will live there.