Psalm 69:1-23
1Save me, O God, *
for the waters have risen up to my neck.
2I am sinking in deep mire, *
and there is no firm ground for my feet.
3I have come into deep waters, *
and the torrent washes over me.
4I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed; *
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
5Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs
of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. *
Must I then give back what I never stole?
6O God, you know my foolishness, *
and my faults are not hidden from you.
7Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
Lord GOD of hosts; *
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me,
O God of Israel.
8Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach, *
and shame has covered my face.
9I have become a stranger to my own kindred, *
an alien to my mother’s children.
10Zeal for your house has eaten me up; *
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
11I humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
12I put on sack-cloth also, *
and became a byword among them.
13Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
14But as for me, this is my prayer to you, *
at the time you have set, O Lord:
15″In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.
16Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; *
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
17Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up; *
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
18Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind; *
in your great compassion, turn to me.”
19″Hide not your face from your servant; *
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
20Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because of my enemies deliver me.
21You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; *
my adversaries are all in your sight.”
22Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot be healed; *
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I could find no one.
23They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: Northeaster, 1895; reworked by 1901, Winslow Homer
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection
