Prayer for Mercy in Time of Trouble.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set [possibly] an octave below. A Psalm of David.

1O LORD, do not rebuke or punish me in Your anger,

Nor discipline me in Your wrath.

2Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am weak (faint, frail);

Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed and anguished.

3My soul [as well as my body] is greatly dismayed.

But as for You, O LORD--how long [until You act on my behalf]?

4Return, O LORD, rescue my soul;

Save me because of Your [unfailing] steadfast love and mercy.

5For in death there is no mention of You;

In Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) who will praise You and give You thanks?

6I am weary with my groaning;

Every night I soak my bed with tears,

I drench my couch with my weeping.

7My eye grows dim with grief;

It grows old because of all my enemies.

8Depart from me, all you who do evil,

For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

9The LORD has heard my supplication [my plea for grace];

The LORD receives my prayer.

10Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly horrified;

Let them turn back, let them suddenly be ashamed [of what they have done].