Psalm 69 translation - A psalm for depression

PSALM 69

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.

1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.

9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink….

26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

33 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

Psalm 69

A psalm for depression

[1] Save me God, I’m drowning

[2] I’m sinking down, down, down, and my feet can’t touch the bottom. My soul is underwater.

[3] I’m so sick of crying, my throat is scratchy and sore, and my eyes are dry; but I’m still looking for you.

[4] I’m sure that I’m unlovable, that everyone who doesn’t like me is right.

[5] God, you know my weaknesses, I can’t hide from you.

[6-7] Please help us all to feel less shame. Shame has made it hard for me to see, and sometimes I feel like it’s your fault.

[8] My family says I’m not myself.

[9] I just wanted to do right by you God, but now I just feel like I’m doing everything wrong.

[10-12] Please help these tears to be enough. It’s hard to eat or change my clothes and people whisper about me behind my back.

[13] But I still believe in you, God. And this is my prayer:

[14] Save me from this deep water before I sink and lose the will to breathe.

[15] Pry open the abyss with your powerful hands so I can see the sky

[16] Please hear me, I believe in your love and mercy. 

[17-19] I need you now and I’m in trouble. Come into my soul and save me from all my demons. You know all my faults and weaknesses and all my shame.

[20-21] My heart is broken, I feel heavy and even when people try to help I feel alone. Sometimes, when they try to help it all tastes bitter and rotten….

[26-28] And seriously, if anyone is preying on the sad and lonely, take notice. Block their way, keep them away from their victims and let there be justice.

[29] But as for me, I’m still sad and poor. Save me, and help me see farther.

[30-31] I’m so grateful to you God; I’ll sing for you and singing will be better than sacrifice.

[32-33] When people look for you, help them live. I know you listen to people who are poor and despised.

[34-36] Everything in the world–earth and sky, seas and creatures–praise you, because you remember us, and you will save our whole community. And we will have a safe place to call our own.