New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
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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 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
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But don't, please don't, haul me into court; not a person alive would be acquitted there.
3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
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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 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
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I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead.
5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
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I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,
6 I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
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Stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain.
7 Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
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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 the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
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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 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you.
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Save me from my enemies, God - you're my only hope!
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may 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, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
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Keep up your reputation, God - give me life! In your justice, get me out of this trouble!
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
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In your great love, vanquish my enemies; make a clean sweep of those who harass me. And why? Because I'm your servant.
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.
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.