Psalms 69:1-18

Save me, O God, For the waters have threatened my life [they have come up to my neck]. I have sunk in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, where a flood overwhelms me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; My eyes fail while I wait [with confident expectation] for my God. Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being my enemies wrongfully; I am forced to restore what I did not steal. [John 15:25] ¶O God, You know my folly; My wrongs are not hidden from You. Do not let those who wait [confidently] for You be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; Do not let those who seek You [as necessary for life itself] be dishonored through me, O God of Israel, Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Confusion and dishonor have covered my face. I have become estranged from my brothers And an alien to my mother’s sons. [John 7:3-5] For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the [mocking] insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. [John 2:17; Rom 15:3] When I wept and humbled myself with fasting, It became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing [as one in mourning], I became a byword [a mere object of scorn] to them. They who sit in the [city’s] gate talk about me and mock me, And I am the song of the drunkards. ¶But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable and opportune time; O God, in the greatness of Your favor and in the abundance of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with truth [that is, the faithfulness of Your salvation]. Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; Let me be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwater overwhelm me, Nor the deep waters swallow me up, Nor the pit [of Sheol] shut its mouth over me. ¶Answer me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is sweet and good and comforting; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me. Do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in distress; answer me quickly. Draw near to my soul and redeem it; Ransom me because of my enemies [so that they do not delight in my distress].