Psalms 69:1-18

Save me, O God! The water is already up to my neck! I am sinking in deep mud. There is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water. A flood is sweeping me away. I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained ⌞from⌟ looking for my God. Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty. They have no reason to be my enemies. I am forced to pay back what I did not steal. O God, you know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you. Do not let those who wait with hope for you be put to shame because of me, O Almighty LORD of Armies. Do not let those who come to you for help be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel. Indeed, for your sake I have endured insults. Humiliation has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my ⌞own⌟ brothers, a foreigner to my mother’s sons. Indeed, devotion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. I cried and fasted, but I was insulted for it. I dressed myself in sackcloth, but I became the object of ridicule. Those who sit at the gate gossip about me, and drunkards make up songs about me. May my prayer come to you at an acceptable time, O LORD. O God, out of the greatness of your mercy, answer me with the truth of your salvation. Rescue me from the mud. Do not let me sink ⌞into it⌟. I want to be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water. Do not let floodwaters sweep me away. Do not let the ocean swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, because your mercy is good. Out of your unlimited compassion, turn to me. I am in trouble, so do not hide your face from me. Answer me quickly! Come close, and defend my soul. Set me free because of my enemies.