| 1. | To the Overseer. -- `On the Lilies,' by David. Save me, O God, for come have waters unto the soul. |
| 2. | 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. |
| 3. | I have been wearied with my calling, Burnt hath been my throat, Consumed have been mine eyes, waiting for my God. |
| 4. | 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. |
| 5. | O God, Thou -- Thou hast known Concerning my overturn, And my desolations from Thee have not been hid. |
| 6. | 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. |
| 7. | For because of Thee I have borne reproach, Shame hath covered my face. |
| 8. | A stranger I have been to my brother, And a foreigner to sons of my mother. |
| 9. | For zeal for Thy house hath consumed me, And the reproaches of Thy reproachers Have fallen upon me. |
| 10. | And I weep in the fasting of my soul, And it is for a reproach to me. |
| 11. | And I make my clothing sackcloth, And I am to them for a simile. |
| 12. | Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments. |
| 13. | 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. |
| 14. | Deliver me from the mire, and let me not sink, Let me be delivered from those hating me, And from deep places of waters. |
| 15. | Let not a flood of waters overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up, Nor let the pit shut her mouth upon me. |
| 16. | Answer me, O Jehovah, for good `is' Thy kindness, According to the abundance Of Thy mercies turn Thou unto me, |
| 17. | And hide not Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress -- haste, answer me. |
| 18. | Be near unto my soul -- redeem it, Because of mine enemies ransom me. |
| 19. | Thou -- Thou hast known my reproach, And my shame, and my blushing, Before Thee `are' all mine adversaries. |
| 20. | 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. |
| 21. | And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar. |
| 22. | Their table before them is for a snare, And for a recompence -- for a trap. |
| 23. | Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou. |
| 24. | Pour upon them Thine indignation, And the fierceness of Thine anger doth seize them. |
| 25. | Their tower is desolated, In their tents there is no dweller. |
| 26. | For they have pursued him Thou hast smitten, And recount of the pain of Thy pierced ones. |
| 27. | Give punishment for their iniquity, And they enter not into Thy righteousness. |
| 28. | They are blotted out of the book of life, And with the righteous are not written. |
| 29. | And I `am' afflicted and pained, Thy salvation, O God, doth set me on high. |
| 30. | I praise the name of God with a song, And I magnify Him with thanksgiving, |
| 31. | And it is better to Jehovah than an ox, A bullock -- horned -- hoofed. |
| 32. | The humble have seen -- they rejoice, Ye who seek God -- and your heart liveth. |
| 33. | For Jehovah hearkeneth unto the needy, And His bound ones He hath not despised. |
| 34. | The heavens and earth do praise Him, Seas, and every moving thing in them. |
| 35. | For God doth save Zion, And doth build the cities of Judah, And they have dwelt there, and possess it. |
| 36. | And the seed of His servants inherit it, And those loving His name dwell in it! |