Psalms 69:1-13

1Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck.

2I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep water, and a flood sweeps over me.

3I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

5God, you know my foolishness, and my guilty acts are not hidden from you.

6Do not let those who put their hope in you be disgraced because of me, Lord God of Armies; do not let those who seek you be humiliated because of me, God of Israel.

7For I have endured insults because of you, and shame has covered my face.

8I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons

9because zeal for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

10I mourned and fasted, but it brought me insults.

11I wore sackcloth as my clothing, and I was a joke to them.

12Those who sit at the city gate talk about me, and drunkards make up songs about me.

13But as for me, Lord, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation.