Sinking, but Calling
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
69 1 Save me, my Father, for the waters have risen to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I am in deep water, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am worn out from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes give out from watching for my Father. 4 Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head; many enemies want to destroy me with their lies. What I did not steal, I must now give back.
5 My Father, you know my folly; my wrongs are not hidden from you. 6 Don't let those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Father of heaven's armies; don't let those who seek you be disgraced because of me, the Father of Israel. 7 I have borne reproach for your sake; shame has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an outsider to my mother's children.
9 For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. a a v9 When Jesus cleansed the temple, his disciples remembered these words as written of him; Paul saw the second line fulfilled in Christ, who bore the world's insults against the Father. 10 When I wept and humbled myself with fasting, it became my reproach. 11 When I made mourning clothes my clothing, I became a laughingstock to them. 12 Those who sit at the gate talk about me, and I am the song of the drunkards. b b v12 The city gate was ancient Israel's public gathering place — where elders sat, cases were judged, and town news spread, much like a courthouse square.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, my Father, at an acceptable time; in the abundance of your faithful love answer me, in the truth of your salvation. 14 Rescue me from the mire; do not let me sink. Deliver me from those who hate me and from the deep waters. 15 Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, my Father, for your faithful love is good; in your great compassion turn to me. 17 Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress; answer me quickly. 18 Draw near to me and redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies.
19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; all my foes are before you. 20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me poison for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. c c v21 At the cross they offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, and sour wine on a sponge — the suffering David sang of, lived out by the Son centuries later.
22 Let the table set before them become a snare, and their feasting a trap. d d v22 Paul quoted these words of those who stumbled over the Messiah — yet his aim was their mercy, not their ruin, longing that all be brought home. 23 Let their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and make their backs bend forever. 24 Pour out your indignation on them, and let your burning anger overtake them. 25 May their camp become a wasteland; let no one dwell in their tents. e e v25 Peter saw this verse fulfilled in Judas, whose place among the apostles was left empty and given to another. 26 For they persecute the one you have struck, and they talk about the pain of those you have wounded. 27 Charge them with iniquity upon iniquity; let them not come into your righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not counted among the righteous.
29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, my Father, set me securely on high.
30 I will praise the name of our Father with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please our Father more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 The humble will see it and be glad; you who seek our Father, let your hearts revive. 33 For our Father hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. 35 For our Father will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; his people will dwell there and possess it. 36 The descendants of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell in it.