(By David for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies”.)

God can be trusted

1Save me, God!

I am about to drown.

2I am sinking deep in the mud,

and my feet are slipping.

I am about to be swept under

by a mighty flood.

3I am worn out from crying,

and my throat is dry.

I have waited for you

till my eyes are blurred.

4There are more people69.4: Ps 35.19; Jn 15.25.

who hate me for no reason

than there are hairs

on my head.

Many terrible enemies

want to destroy me, God.

Am I supposed to give back

something I didn't steal?

5You know my foolish sins.

Not one is hidden from you.

6LORD God All-Powerful,

ruler of Israel,

don't let me embarrass anyone

who trusts and worships you.

7It is for your sake alone

that I am insulted

and blush with shame.

8I am like a stranger

to my relatives

and like a foreigner

to my own family.

9My love for your house69.9: Jn 2.17; Ro 15.3.

burns in me like a fire,

and when others insulted you,

they insulted me as well.

10I cried and went without food,69.10 went without food: See the note at 35.13.

but they still insulted me.

11They sneered at me

for wearing sackcloth69.11 sackcloth: See the note at 30.11.

to show my sorrow.

12Rulers and judges gossip

about me,

and drunkards make up songs

to mock me.

13But I pray to you, LORD.

So when the time is right,

answer me and help me

with your wonderful love.

14Don't let me sink in the mud,

but save me from my enemies

and from the deep water.

15Don't let me be

swept away by a flood

or drowned in the ocean

or swallowed by death.

16Answer me, LORD!

You are kind and good.

Pay attention to me!

You are truly merciful.

17Don't turn away from me.

I am your servant,

and I am in trouble.

Please hurry and help!

18Come and save me

from my enemies.

19You know how I am insulted,

mocked, and disgraced;

you know every one

of my enemies.

20I am crushed by insults,

and I feel sick.

I had hoped for mercy and pity,

but there was none.

21Enemies poisoned my food,69.21: Mt 27.48; Mk 15.36; Lk 23.26; Jn 19.28,29.

and when I was thirsty,

they gave me vinegar.

22Make their table a trap69.22,23: Ro 11.9,10.

for them and their friends.

23Blind them with darkness

and make them tremble.

24Show them how angry you are!

Be furious and catch them.

25Destroy their camp69.25: Ac 1.20.

and don't let anyone live

in their tents.

26They cause trouble for people

you have already punished;

their gossip hurts those

you have wounded.

27Make them guiltier than ever

and don't forgive them.

28Wipe their names from the book69.28: Ex 32.32; Rev 3.5; 13.8; 17.8.

of the living;

remove them from the list

of the innocent.

29I am ill-treated and in pain.

Protect me, God,

and keep me safe!

30I will praise the LORD God

with a song

and a thankful heart.

31This will please the LORD

better than offering an ox

or a full-grown bull.

32When those in need see this,

they will be happy,

and the LORD's worshippers

will be encouraged.

33The LORD will listen

when the homeless cry out,

and he will never forget

his people in prison.

34Heaven and earth

will praise our God,

and so will the oceans

and everything in them.

35God will rescue Jerusalem,

and he will rebuild

the towns of Judah.

His people will live there

on their own land,

36and when the time comes,

their children will inherit

the land.

Then everyone who loves God

will also settle there.