Chapter 69

  To the Overseer. -- 'On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul.  

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  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.  

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

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  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.  

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

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  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.  

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  For because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face.  

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

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

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

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

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

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  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.  

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

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

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  Answer me, O Jehovah, for good [is] Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me,  

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

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  Be near unto my soul -- redeem it, Because of mine enemies ransom me.  

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  Thou -- Thou hast known my reproach, And my shame, and my blushing, Before Thee [are] all mine adversaries.  

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  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.  

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

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  Their table before them is for a snare, And for a recompence -- for a trap.  

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  Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou.  

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  Pour upon them Thine indignation, And the fierceness of Thine anger doth seize them.  

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  Their tower is desolated, In their tents there is no dweller.  

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

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  Give punishment for their iniquity, And they enter not into Thy righteousness.  

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  They are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written.  

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  And I [am] afflicted and pained, Thy salvation, O God, doth set me on high.  

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

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

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

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  For Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised.  

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  The heavens and earth do praise Him, Seas, and every moving thing in them.  

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

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

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