The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 My head is high, God, held high;
1
Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
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O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph 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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Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
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Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy 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 thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
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Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever 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, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, 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 will he teach sinners in the way.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
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The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach 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 mercy and truth unto such as 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 thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; 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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What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 They settle down in a promising place; Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.
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His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in.
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The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet.
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Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall 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 thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate 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: O bring thou 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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Look upon mine affliction and my pain; 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 mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
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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O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.
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Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
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 King James Version is in the public domain.