The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 My head is high, God, held high;
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<<By David.>> To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.
2 I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.
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My God, in you have I trusted, Let me not be put to shame. Don't let my 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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Yes, no one who waits for you shall be put to shame. They shall be put to shame who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.
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Show me your ways, Yahweh. 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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Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.
6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
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Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your lovingkindness, For they are from old times.
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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Don't remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your lovingkindness, For your goodness' sake, Yahweh.
8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.
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Good and upright is Yahweh, Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.
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He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach 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 Yahweh are lovingkindness and truth To 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 your name's sake, Yahweh, Pardon my 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 who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him 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. His seed 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 Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show 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 on Yahweh, 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 have mercy on 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. Oh 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 travail. 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 my enemies, for they are many. 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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Oh keep 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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Let 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, God, Out all of 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 World English Bible is in the public domain.