The Message Bible MSG
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you'll ever hear.
1
A Prayer of David. Hear, O Jehovah, righteousness, attend my cry, Give ear [to] my prayer, without lips of deceit.
2 Show the world I'm innocent - in your heart you know I am.
2
From before thee my judgment doth go out; Thine eyes do see uprightly.
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 my heart, Thou hast inspected by night, Thou hast tried me, Thou findest nothing; My thoughts pass not over my mouth.
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
As to doings of man, Through a word of Thy lips I have observed The paths of a destroyer;
5 I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot In front of the other. I'm not giving up.
5
To uphold my goings in Thy paths, My steps have not slidden.
6 I call to you, God, because I'm sure of an answer. So - answer! bend your ear! listen sharp!
6
I -- I called Thee, for Thou dost answer me, O God, incline Thine ear to me, 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
Separate wonderfully Thy kindness, O Saviour of the confiding, By Thy right hand, from withstanders.
8 Keep your eye on me; hide me under your cool wing feathers
8
Keep me as the apple, the daughter of the eye; In shadow of Thy wings thou dost hide me.
9 From the wicked who are out to get me, from mortal enemies closing in.
9
From the face of the wicked who spoiled me. Mine enemies in soul go round against me.
10 Their hearts are hard as nails, their mouths blast hot air.
10
Their fat they have closed up, Their mouths have spoken with pride:
11 They are after me, nipping my heels, determined to bring me down,
11
`Our steps now have compassed [him];' Their eyes they set to turn aside in the land.
12 Lions ready to rip me apart, young lions poised to pounce.
12
His likeness as a lion desirous to tear, As a young lion dwelling in secret places.
13 Up, God: beard them! break them! By your sword, free me from their clutches;
13
Arise, O Jehovah, go before his face, Cause him to bend. Deliver my soul from the wicked, 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, Thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, their portion [is] in life, And [with] Thy hidden things Thou fillest their belly, They are satisfied [with] sons; And have left their abundance to their sucklings.
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
I -- in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, [with] Thy form!
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.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.