The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.
1
I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
2 Like servants, alert to their master's commands, like a maiden attending her lady, We're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy.
2
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.
3 Mercy, God, mercy! We've been kicked around long enough,
3
Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men, kicked when we're down by arrogant brutes.
4
We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.