An Appeal for Forgiveness and Deliverance

¹ For the music director; with stringed instruments, on the Sheminith.¹ A psalm of David.² O Yahweh, do not rebuke me in your anger, and do not discipline me in your wrath.

1. Hebrew “upon the eighth”; meaning uncertain
2. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one

² Be gracious to me, O Yahweh, because I am feeble. Heal me, O Yahweh, for my bones are terrified.

³ My soul is also very terrified. But you, O Yahweh, how long?

⁴ Turn, O Yahweh; deliver my life.¹ Save me for the sake of your steadfast love.²

1. Or “my soul”; same word as in v. 3
2. Or “loyal love”

⁵ For there is no remembrance of you in death. In Sheol, who will give thanks to you?

⁶ I am weary with my groaning; ⌞I flood⌟¹ my bed every night. With my tears ⌞I drench⌟² my couch.

1. Literally “I make my bed float”
2. Literally “I cause to melt”

⁷ My eye wastes away because of vexation; it grows old because of all my oppressors.

⁸ Depart from me, all workers of evil, for Yahweh has heard the sound of my weeping.

⁹ Yahweh has heard my plea; Yahweh has accepted my prayer.

¹⁰ All my enemies shall be ashamed and shall be very terrified. They shall turn back; they shall suddenly be ashamed.