The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 My head is high, God, held high;
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To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
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O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 I've thrown in my lot with you; You won't embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don't embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It's the traitors who should be humiliated.
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Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
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Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you?
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Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
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Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!
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Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.
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Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
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He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.
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All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.
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For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 My question: What are God-worshipers like? Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.
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Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 They settle down in a promising place; Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.
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His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in.
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The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet.
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My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Look at me and help me! I'm all alone and in big trouble.
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Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 My heart and kidneys are fighting each other; Call a truce to this civil war.
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The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
18 Take a hard look at my life of hard labor, Then lift this ton of sin.
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Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
19 Do you see how many people Have it in for me? How viciously they hate me?
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Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble; Don't let me down when I run to you.
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Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.
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May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 God, give your people a break From this run of bad luck.
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Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025