1: To the Overseer. -- 'On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul. 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. 3: I have been wearied with my calling, Burnt hath been my throat, Consumed have been mine eyes, waiting for my God. 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. 5: O God, Thou -- Thou hast known Concerning my overturn, And my desolations from Thee have not been hid. 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. 7: For because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face. 8: A stranger I have been to my brother, And a foreigner to sons of my mother. 9: For zeal for Thy house hath consumed me, And the reproaches of Thy reproachers Have fallen upon me. 10: And I weep in the fasting of my soul, And it is for a reproach to me. 11: And I make my clothing sackcloth, And I am to them for a simile. 12: Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments. 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. 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. 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. 16: Answer me, O Jehovah, for good [is] Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me, 17: And hide not Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress -- haste, answer me. 18: Be near unto my soul -- redeem it, Because of mine enemies ransom me. 19: Thou -- Thou hast known my reproach, And my shame, and my blushing, Before Thee [are] all mine adversaries. 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. 21: And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar. 22: Their table before them is for a snare, And for a recompence -- for a trap. 23: Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou. 24: Pour upon them Thine indignation, And the fierceness of Thine anger doth seize them. 25: Their tower is desolated, In their tents there is no dweller. 26: For they have pursued him Thou hast smitten, And recount of the pain of Thy pierced ones. 27: Give punishment for their iniquity, And they enter not into Thy righteousness. 28: They are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written. 29: And I [am] afflicted and pained, Thy salvation, O God, doth set me on high. 30: I praise the name of God with a song, And I magnify Him with thanksgiving, 31: And it is better to Jehovah than an ox, A bullock -- horned -- hoofed. 32: The humble have seen -- they rejoice, Ye who seek God -- and your heart liveth. 33: For Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised. 34: The heavens and earth do praise Him, Seas, and every moving thing in them. 35: For God doth save Zion, And doth build the cities of Judah, And they have dwelt there, and possess it. 36: And the seed of His servants inherit it, And those loving His name dwell in it!
