Psalm 31:9–18

⁹Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;^m

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,ⁿ

my soul and body^o with grief.

¹⁰My life is consumed by anguish^p

and my years by groaning;^q

my strength fails^r because of my affliction,^bs

and my bones grow weak.^t

¹¹Because of all my enemies,^u

I am the utter contempt^v of my neighbors^w

and an object of dread to my closest friends—

those who see me on the street flee from me.

¹²I am forgotten as though I were dead;^x

I have become like broken pottery.

¹³For I hear many whispering,^y

“Terror on every side!”^z

They conspire against me^a

and plot to take my life.^b

¹⁴But I trust^c in you, Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

¹⁵My times^d are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

¹⁶Let your face shine^e on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.^f

¹⁷Let me not be put to shame,^g Lord,

for I have cried out to you;

but let the wicked be put to shame

and be silent^h in the realm of the dead.

¹⁸Let their lying lipsⁱ be silenced,

for with pride and contempt

they speak arrogantly^j against the righteous.