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A Prayer for Mercy in Troubled Times

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Upon the ·sheminith [L eighth; C a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or possibly the manner of singing]. A psalm of David.

Lord, don’t ·correct [rebuke; reprove] me when you are angry;
    don’t ·punish [discipline] me when you are ·very angry [enraged].
Lord, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] me because I ·am weak [languish; faint].
    Heal me, Lord, because my bones ·ache [are in agony].
I ·am very upset [ache; am in agony].
    Lord, how long will it be?

Lord, return and save me;
    ·save [rescue; T deliver] me because of your ·kindness [loyalty; covenant love].
Dead people don’t remember you;
    those in ·the grave [or the underworld; L Sheol] don’t praise you.

I am ·tired [weary] ·of crying to you [L because of my moaning].
    Every night ·my bed is wet [L I flood my pillow] with tears;
    my bed is soaked from my crying.
My eyes are weak ·from so much crying [L because of my grief];
    they are weak ·from crying about [L because of] my enemies.

Get away from me, all you who do evil,
    because the Lord has heard my ·crying [supplication].
The Lord has heard my cry for help;
    the Lord will ·answer [accept] my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and ·troubled [in agony; vv. 2–3].
    They will turn and suddenly leave in shame.

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?

Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.