Dual Panel1<
2Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold to stand on. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
3I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched and dry. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
4Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs on my head. These enemies who seek to destroy me are doing so without cause. They attack me with lies, demanding that I give back what I didn’t steal.
5O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.
6Don’t let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign LORD Almighty. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.
7For I am mocked and shamed for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face.
8Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
9Passion for your house burns within me, so those who insult you are also insulting me.
10When I weep and fast before the LORD, they scoff at me.
11When I dress in sackcloth to show sorrow, they make fun of me.
12I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunkards sing about me.
13But I keep right on praying to you, LORD, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
14Pull me out of the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Rescue me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters.
15Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me.
16Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.
17Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!
18Come and rescue me; free me from all my enemies.
19You know the insults I endure––the humiliation and disgrace. You have seen all my enemies and know what they have said.
20Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.
21But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine to satisfy my thirst.
22Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare, and let their security become a trap.
23Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their bodies grow weaker and weaker.
24Pour out your fury on them; consume them with your burning anger.
25May their homes become desolate and their tents be deserted.
26To those you have punished, they add insult to injury; they scoff at the pain of those you have hurt.
27Pile their sins up high, and don’t let them go free.
28Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.
29I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.
30Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
31For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing an ox or presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help live in joy.
33For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones; he does not despise his people who are oppressed.
34Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.
35For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and take possession of the land.
36The descendants of those who obey him will inherit the land, and those who love him will live there in safety.