The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
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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<<A Psalm by David.>> Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
2 But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there.
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Don't enter into judgment with your servant, For in your sight no man living is righteous.
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 pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
4 I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead.
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Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
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 your doings. I contemplate 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 spread forth 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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Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don't hide your face from me, So that I don't become like those who go down into 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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Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, For I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to you.
9 Save me from my enemies, God - you're my only hope!
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Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
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. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
11 Keep up your reputation, God - give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble!
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Revive me, Yahweh, for your name's sake. 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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In your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict 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 World English Bible is in the public domain.