Psalms 69:1-12, 30-36

God, God, save me! I’m in over my head, Quicksand under me, swamp water over me; I’m going down for the third time. I’m hoarse from calling for help, Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God. I’ve got more enemies than hairs on my head; Liars and cheats are out to knife me in the back. What I never stole Must I now give back? God, you know every sin I’ve committed; My life’s a wide-open book before you. Don’t let those who look to you in hope Be discouraged by what happens to me, Dear Lord! GOD of the armies! Don’t let those out looking for you Come to a dead end by following me— Please, dear God of Israel! Because of you I look like an idiot, I walk around ashamed to show my face. My brothers shun me like a bum off the street; My family treats me like an unwanted guest. I love you more than I can say. Because I’m madly in love with you, They blame me for everything they dislike about you. When I poured myself out in prayer and fasting, All it got me was more contempt. When I put on a sad face, They treated me like a clown. Now drunks and gluttons Make up drinking songs about me.

Let me shout God’s name with a praising song, Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks. For GOD, this is better than oxen on the altar, Far better than blue-ribbon bulls. The poor in spirit see and are glad— Oh, you God-seekers, take heart! For GOD listens to the poor, He doesn’t walk out on the wretched. You heavens, praise him; praise him, earth; Also ocean and all things that swim in it. For God is out to help Zion, Rebuilding the wrecked towns of Judah. Guess who will live there— The proud owners of the land? No, the children of his servants will get it, The lovers of his name will live in it.