1 T o the Overseer. -- `On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul.

Save me, O God, for the waters have almost taken my life.

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.

I have gone down into deep mud and there is no place to put my feet. I have come into deep waters and a flood comes over me.

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

I have cried until I am tired. My mouth is dry. My eyes become weak while I wait for my God.

4 T hose 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.

Those who hate me, without a reason, are more than the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are powerful. I am made to return things that I did not steal.

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

O God, You know how foolish I am. My sins are not hidden from You.

6 L et 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.

May those who wait for You not be put to shame because of me, O Lord God of All. May those who look for You not lose respect because of me, O God of Israel.

7 F or because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face.

I have been put to shame because of You. Shame has covered my face.

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

I have become a stranger to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons.

9 F or zeal for Thy house hath consumed me, And the reproaches of Thy reproachers Have fallen upon me.

For the strong desire for Your house has burned me up. And the bad things said about You have fallen on me.

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

When I cried and went without food, I was put to shame.

11 A nd I make my clothing sackcloth, And I am to them for a simile.

When I put on clothes made from hair, they made fun of me.

12 T hose sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments.

Those who sit by the gate talk about me. And I am the song of those who drink too much.

13 A nd I -- my prayer 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.

But as for me, my prayer is to You at the right time, O Lord. Answer me with Your saving truth in Your great loving-kindness, O God.

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

Take me out of the mud and do not let me go down in it. Take me away from those who hate me and from the deep waters.

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

Keep the flood water from covering me. Do not let the sea swallow me up. Do not let the deep hole close its mouth over me.

16 A nswer me, O Jehovah, for good Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me,

Answer me, O Lord, for Your loving-kindness is good. Turn to me because of Your great loving-pity.

17 A nd hide not Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress -- haste, answer me.

Do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in trouble. Hurry to answer me.

18 B e near unto my soul -- redeem it, Because of mine enemies ransom me.

Come near to me and save me. Pay the price to set me free from those who hate me.

19 T hou -- Thou hast known my reproach, And my shame, and my blushing, Before Thee all mine adversaries.

You know how I have been put to shame by the bad things said about me. All those who hate me are before You.

20 R eproach 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.

Being put to shame has broken my heart, and I feel very sick. I looked for pity but there was none. I looked for someone to comfort me but there was no one.

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

They gave me bitter drink in my food. And because I was thirsty they gave me sour wine.

22 T heir table before them is for a snare, And for a recompence -- for a trap.

May their table in front of them become a net. May it become a trap when they are in peace.

23 D arkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou.

May their eyes grow dark so they cannot see. And may their backs always shake.

24 P our upon them Thine indignation, And the fierceness of Thine anger doth seize them.

Pour out Your anger on them. May Your burning anger catch up with them.

25 T heir tower is desolated, In their tents there is no dweller.

May their place of living be empty and may no one live in their tents.

26 F or they have pursued him Thou hast smitten, And recount of the pain of Thy pierced ones.

For they have made it hard for the one You have punished. And they talk about the pain of those You have hurt.

27 G ive punishment for their iniquity, And they enter not into Thy righteousness.

Let their sins add up, and may they not become right with You.

28 T hey are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written.

May they be taken out of the book of life, and not be written down with those who are right with You.

29 A nd I afflicted and pained, Thy salvation, O God, doth set me on high.

But I am suffering and in pain. O God, may You save me and set me up on high.

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

I will praise the name of God with song. And I will give Him great honor with much thanks.

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

This will please the Lord more than any ox or young bull with horns and hoofs.

32 T he humble have seen -- they rejoice, Ye who seek God -- and your heart liveth.

Those without pride will see it and be glad. You who look for God, let your heart receive new strength.

33 F or Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised.

For the Lord hears those who are in need, and does not hate His people in prison.

34 T he heavens and earth do praise Him, Seas, and every moving thing in them.

Let heaven and earth and the seas and all the things that move in them give thanks to Him.

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

For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah. Then His people may live there and have it for their own.

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

And the children of those who obey Him will have it given to them. Those who love His name will live there.