How Long?

¹Yahweh , don’t condemn me.

Don’t punish me in your fiery anger.

²Please deal gently with me , Yahweh ;

show me mercy, for I’m sick and frail and weak.

Heal me, Yahweh , for I’m falling apart.

³My soul is so troubled; but you,

Yahweh —how long?

Return to Me

⁴Yahweh , turn to me and rescue my life

because I know your faithful love will never fail me.

⁵In the darkness of death who remembers your name in worship ?

How could I bring you praise if I’m buried in a tomb?

Extreme Anguish

⁶I’m worn out with my weeping and groaning.

Night after night I soak my pillow with tears,

and flood my bed with weeping.

⁷My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart.[#6:7 The Hebrew is singular, “My eye;” a likely metaphor for the eye of his heart. David’s faith was growing weak.]

There are so many enemies who come against me!

He Heard My Cry

⁸Turn from me, all you troublemakers![#6:8 See Ps. 5:5; Matt. 7:23.]

For Yahweh has turned to hear the sound of my weeping.

⁹Yes! Yahweh my healer has heard all my pleading

and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all.

¹⁰Now it’s my enemies who have been shamed.

Terror-stricken, they will turn back again,

knowing the bitterness of sudden disgrace!