English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
1
Listen to this prayer of mine, God; pay attention to what I'm asking. Answer me - you're famous for your answers! Do what's right for me.
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
2
But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there.
3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
3
The enemy hunted me down; he kicked me and stomped me within an inch of my life. He put me in a black hole, buried me like a corpse in that dungeon.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.
4
I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
5
I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,
6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
6
Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
7
Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; don't ignore me! That would be certain death.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
8
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge!
9
Save me from my enemies, God - you're my only hope!
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
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Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.
11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
11
Keep up your reputation, God - give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
12
In your great love, vanquish my enemies; make a clean sweep of those who harass me. And why? Because I'm your servant.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.