The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
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.
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Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2 But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there.
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Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
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.
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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.
4 I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead.
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Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.
5 I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,
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I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
6 Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.
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I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
9 Save me from my enemies, God - you're my only hope!
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Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge!
10 Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.
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Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
11 Keep up your reputation, God - give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble!
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For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 In your great love, vanquish my enemies; make a clean sweep of those who harass me. And why? Because I'm your servant.
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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.
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.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.