69:1  To the Overseer. -- `On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul.

69:2  I have sunk in deep mire, And there is no standing, I have come into the depths of the waters, And a flood hath overflown me.

69:3  I have been wearied with my calling, Burnt hath been my throat, Consumed have been mine eyes, waiting for my God.

69:4  Those hating me without cause Have been more than the hairs of my head, Mighty have been my destroyers, My lying enemies, That which I took not away -- I bring back.

69:5  O God, Thou -- Thou hast known Concerning my overturn, And my desolations from Thee have not been hid.

69:6  Let not those waiting on Thee be ashamed because of me, O Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Let not those seeking Thee Blush because of me, O God of Israel.

69:7  For because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face.

69:8  A stranger I have been to my brother, And a foreigner to sons of my mother.

69:9  For zeal for Thy house hath consumed me, And the reproaches of Thy reproachers Have fallen upon me.

69:10  And I weep in the fasting of my soul, And it is for a reproach to me.

69:11  And I make my clothing sackcloth, And I am to them for a simile.

69:12  Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments.

69:13  And I -- my prayer `is' to Thee, O Jehovah, A time of good pleasure, O God, In the abundance of Thy kindness, Answer me in the truth of Thy salvation.

69:14  Deliver me from the mire, and let me not sink, Let me be delivered from those hating me, And from deep places of waters.

69:15  Let not a flood of waters overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up, Nor let the pit shut her mouth upon me.

69:16  Answer me, O Jehovah, for good `is' Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me,

69:17  And hide not Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress -- haste, answer me.

69:18  Be near unto my soul -- redeem it, Because of mine enemies ransom me.

69:19  Thou -- Thou hast known my reproach, And my shame, and my blushing, Before Thee `are' all mine adversaries.

69:20  Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am sick, And I look for a bemoaner, and there is none, And for comforters, and I have found none.

69:21  And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar.

69:22  Their table before them is for a snare, And for a recompence -- for a trap.

69:23  Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou.

69:24  Pour upon them Thine indignation, And the fierceness of Thine anger doth seize them.

69:25  Their tower is desolated, In their tents there is no dweller.

69:26  For they have pursued him Thou hast smitten, And recount of the pain of Thy pierced ones.

69:27  Give punishment for their iniquity, And they enter not into Thy righteousness.

69:28  They are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written.

69:29  And I `am' afflicted and pained, Thy salvation, O God, doth set me on high.

69:30  I praise the name of God with a song, And I magnify Him with thanksgiving,

69:31  And it is better to Jehovah than an ox, A bullock -- horned -- hoofed.

69:32  The humble have seen -- they rejoice, Ye who seek God -- and your heart liveth.

69:33  For Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised.

69:34  The heavens and earth do praise Him, Seas, and every moving thing in them.

69:35  For God doth save Zion, And doth build the cities of Judah, And they have dwelt there, and possess it.

69:36  And the seed of His servants inherit it, And those loving His name dwell in it!