₂₃How I wish that someone would remember my words

and record them in a book!

₂₄Or with a chisel carve my words in stone

and write them so that they would last for ever.

₂₅But I know there is someone in heaven

who will come at last to my defence.

₂₆Even after my skin is eaten by disease,

while still in this body I will see God.

₂₇I will see him with my own eyes,

and he will not be a stranger.

My courage failed because you said,

₁Listen, O LORD, to my plea for justice;

pay attention to my cry for help!

Listen to my honest prayer.

₂You will judge in my favour,

because you know what is right.

₃You know my heart.

You have come to me at night;

you have examined me completely

and found no evil desire in me.

₄I speak no evil as others do;

I have obeyed your command

and have not followed paths of violence.

₅I have always walked in your way

and have never strayed from it.

₆I pray to you, O God, because you answer me;

so turn to me and listen to my words.

₇Reveal your wonderful love and save me;

at your side I am safe from my enemies.

₈Protect me as you would your very eyes;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

₉from the attacks of the wicked.

Deadly enemies surround me;