15 Heb “my spirit is failing.”
16 Heb “do not hide your face from me.” The idiom “hide the face” (1) can mean “ignore” (see Pss 10:11; 13:1; 51:9) or (2) can carry the stronger idea of “reject” (see Pss 30:7; 88:14).
17 Heb “I will be equal with.”
18 Heb “the pit.” The Hebrew noun בּוֹר (bor, “pit; cistern”) is sometimes used of the grave and/or the realm of the dead. See Ps 28:1.
19 Heb “cause me to hear in the morning your loyal love.” Here “loyal love” probably stands metonymically for an oracle of assurance promising God’s intervention as an expression of his loyal love. The morning is sometimes viewed as the time of divine intervention (see Pss 30:5; 59:16; 90:14).
20 The way probably refers here to God’s moral and ethical standards and requirements (see v. 10).
21 Heb “for to you I lift up my life.” The Hebrew expression נָאָשׂ נֶפֶשׁ (na’as nefesh, “to lift up [one’s] life”) means “to desire; to long for” (see Deut 24:15; Prov 19:18; Jer 22:27; 44:14; Hos 4:8, as well as H. W. Wolff, Anthropology of the Old Testament, 16).
22 Heb “to you I cover,” which makes no sense. The translation assumes an emendation to נַסְתִּי (nastiy, “I flee,” a Qal perfect, first singular form from נוּס, nos). Confusion of kaf (ך) and nun (ן) is attested elsewhere (see P. K. McCarter, Textual Criticism [], 48). The collocation of נוּס (“flee”) with אֶל (’el, “to”) is well-attested.
23 Or “your will.” See Ps 40:8.
24 Heb “your good spirit.” God’s “spirit” may refer here to his presence (see the note on the word “presence” in ) or to his personal Spirit (see Ps 51:10).
25 The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive. Taking the statement as a prayer fits well with the petitionary tone of vv. 7–10a.
26 A level land (where one can walk free of obstacles) here symbolizes divine blessing and protection. See Pss 26:12 and 27:11 for similar imagery.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Answer me quickly, O Lord!

My spirit fails!

Hide not your face from me,

lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!

I have fled to you for refuge.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

on level ground!

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Answer me quickly, Lord;

my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,

for I hide myself in you.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Answer me quickly, Lord;

my spirit fails.

Don’t hide your face from me,

or I will be like those

going down to the Pit.

Let me experience

your faithful love in the morning,

for I trust in you.

Reveal to me the way I should go

because I appeal to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

I come to you for protection.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit

lead me on level ground.

NLTNew Living Translation

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,

for my depression deepens.

Don’t turn away from me,

or I will die.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,

for I am trusting you.

Show me where to walk,

for I give myself to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

I run to you to hide me.

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward

on a firm footing.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Quickly answer me, O Yahweh;

my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me,

or I will become

like those descending to the pit.

Cause me to hear your loyal love in the morning,

for I trust you.

Cause me to know the way that I should go,

for I lift up my soul to you.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Yahweh.

I take refuge in you.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;

your Spirit is good.

Lead me onto level ground.

KJV 1900King James Version

Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth:

Hide not thy face from me,

Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;

For in thee do I trust:

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;

For I lift up my soul unto thee.

Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies:

I flee unto thee to hide me.

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:

Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

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