Psalm 69:1–21

¹Save me, O God,

for the floodwaters are up to my neck.

²Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;

I can’t find a foothold.

I am in deep water,

and the floods overwhelm me.

³I am exhausted from crying for help;

my throat is parched.

My eyes are swollen with weeping,

waiting for my God to help me.

⁴Those who hate me without cause

outnumber the hairs on my head.

Many enemies try to destroy me with lies,

demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.

⁵O God, you know how foolish I am;

my sins cannot be hidden from you.

⁶Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,

O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,

O God of Israel.

⁷For I endure insults for your sake;

humiliation is written all over my face.

⁸Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me;

they treat me like a stranger.

⁹Passion for your house has consumed me,

and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

¹⁰When I weep and fast,

they scoff at me.

¹¹When I dress in burlap to show sorrow,

they make fun of me.

¹²I am the favorite topic of town gossip,

and all the drunks sing about me.

¹³But I keep praying to you, Lord,

hoping this time you will show me favor.

In your unfailing love, O God,

answer my prayer with your sure salvation.

¹⁴Rescue me from the mud;

don’t let me sink any deeper!

Save me from those who hate me,

and pull me from these deep waters.

¹⁵Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,

or the deep waters swallow me,

or the pit of death devour me.

¹⁶Answer my prayers, O Lord,

for your unfailing love is wonderful.

Take care of me,

for your mercy is so plentiful.

¹⁷Don’t hide from your servant;

answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!

¹⁸Come and redeem me;

free me from my enemies.

¹⁹You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.

You see all that my enemies are doing.

²⁰Their insults have broken my heart,

and I am in despair.

If only one person would show some pity;

if only one would turn and comfort me.

²¹But instead, they give me poison for food;

they offer me sour wine for my thirst.