The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you'll ever hear.
1
Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Show the world I'm innocent - in your heart you know I am.
2
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night - You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.
3
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way. I'm trying to get your way, your Word's way.
4
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot In front of the other. I'm not giving up.
5
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I call to you, God, because I'm sure of an answer. So - answer! bend your ear! listen sharp!
6
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Paint grace-graffiti on the fences; take in your frightened children who Are running from the neighborhood bullies straight to you.
7
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep your eye on me; hide me under your cool wing feathers
8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked who are out to get me, from mortal enemies closing in.
9
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 Their hearts are hard as nails, their mouths blast hot air.
10
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They are after me, nipping my heels, determined to bring me down,
11
They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Lions ready to rip me apart, young lions poised to pounce.
12
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Up, God: beard them! break them! By your sword, free me from their clutches;
13
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14 Barehanded, God, break these mortals, these flat-earth people who can't think beyond today. I'd like to see their bellies swollen with famine food, The weeds they've sown harvested and baked into famine bread, With second helpings for their children and crusts for their babies to chew on.
14
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 And me? I plan on looking you full in the face. When I get up, I'll see your full stature and live heaven on earth.
15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
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 King James Version is in the public domain.