Deep Waters and Reproach
Psalms 68
The psalmist cries out from deep waters and mire, describing reproach suffered for zeal toward God's house, false accusations, and being given gall and vinegar for food and drink, then appeals for rescue and calls down judgment on his persecutors. He ends by vowing praise and looking forward to the salvation and rebuilding of Zion and the cities of Judea.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, a Psalm of David, for alternate strains.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀλλοιωθησομένων, τῶ Δαυίδ.
KJV—
JPSFor the Leader; upon Shoshannim. [A Psalm] of David.
2
ThomsonSAVE me, O God; for waters have broken in on my soul.
BrentonSave me, O God; for the waters have come in to my soul.
GreekΣώσον με ὁ Θεὸς, ὅτι εἰσήλθοσαν ὕδατα ἕως ψυχῆς μου.
KJVSave me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
JPSSave me, O God; For the waters are come in even unto the soul.
3
ThomsonI am sunk down into deep mire, and there is no support beneath. I am come into the depth of the sea, and a tempest hath overwhelmed me.
BrentonI am stuck fast in deep mire, and there is no standing: I am come in to the depths of the sea, and a storm has overwhelmed me.
GreekἘνεπάγην εἰς ἰλὺν βυθοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὑπόστασις· ἦλθον εἰς τὰ βάθη τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ καταιγὶς κατεπόντισέ με.
KJVI sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
JPSI am sunk in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into deep waters, and the flood overwhelmeth me.
4
ThomsonI am weary with crying; my throat is hoarse; and mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
BrentonI am weary of crying, my throat has become hoarse; mine eyes have failed by my waiting on my God.
GreekἘκοπίασα κράζων, ἐβραγχίασεν ὁ λάρυγξ μου, ἐξέλιπον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐλπίζειν με ἐπὶ τὸν Θεόν μου.
KJVI am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
JPSI am weary of my crying; my throat is dried; Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
5
ThomsonThey who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head. Mine enemies who persecute me wrongfully are become strong. I have made compensation on the spot for what I did not take by violence.
BrentonThey that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: my enemies that persecute me unrighteously are strengthened: then I restored that which I took not away.
GreekἘπληθύνθησαν ὑπὲρ τὰς τρίχας τῆς κεφαλῆς μου οἱ μισοῦντές με δωρεάν· ἐκραταιώθησαν οἱ ἐχθροί μου οἱ ἐκδιώκοντές με ἀδίκως· ἃ οὐχ ἥρπασα, τότε ἀπετίννυον.
KJVThey 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.
JPSThey that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; They that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are many; Should I restore that which I took not away?
6
ThomsonThou, O God, knowest my folly—and my trespasses are not hid from Thee.
BrentonO God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my transgressions are not hidden from thee.
GreekὉ Θεὸς σὺ ἔγνως τὴν ἀφροσύνην μου, καὶ αἱ πλημμελειαί μου ἀπὸ σοῦ οὐκ ἐκρύβησαν.
KJVO God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
JPSO God, Thou knowest my folly; And my trespasses are not hid from Thee.
7
ThomsonLet not them who wait for Thee, O Lord of hosts, be put to shame on my account. Let not them be put to confusion for my sake, who are seeking Thee, O God of Israel.
BrentonLet not them that wait on thee, O Lord of hosts, be ashamed on my account: let not them that seek thee, be ashamed on my account, O God of Israel.
GreekΜὴ αἰσχυνθείησαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ οἱ ὑπομένοντές σε Κύριε τῶν δυνάμεων, μὴ ἐντραπείησαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ οἱ ζητοῦντές σε ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVLet 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.
JPSLet not them that wait for Thee be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; Let not those that seek Thee be brought to confusion through me, O God of Israel.
8
ThomsonBecause for Thy sake I have borne reproach, confusion hath covered my face.
BrentonFor I have suffered reproach for thy sake; shame has covered my face.
GreekὍτι ἕνεκά σου ὑπήνεγκα ὀνειδισμὸν, ἐκάλυψεν ἐντροπὴ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου.
KJVBecause for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
JPSBecause for Thy sake I have borne reproach; Confusion hath covered my face.
9
ThomsonTo my brethren I am become an alien, and a stranger to the children of my mother.
BrentonI became strange to my brethren, and a stranger to my mother's children.
GreekἈπηλλοτριωμένος ἐγενήθην τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, καὶ ξένος τοῖς υἱοῖς τῆς μητρός μου·
KJVI am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.
JPSI am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother's children.
10
ThomsonFor my zeal for Thy house hath consumed me; and on me have fallen the reproaches of them, who reproached Thee.
BrentonFor the zeal of thine house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
Greekὅτι ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου κατάφαγέ με, καὶ οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπʼ ἐμέ.
KJVFor the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
JPSBecause zeal for Thy house hath eaten me up, And the reproaches of them that reproach Thee are fallen upon me.
11
ThomsonWhen I bowed down my soul with fasting; it furnished occasion for reproaching me.
BrentonAnd I bowed down my soul with fasting, and that was made my reproach.
GreekΚαὶ συνέκαμψα ἐν νηστείᾳ τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ ἐγενήθη εἰς ὀνειδισμοὺς ἐμοί.
KJVWhen I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
JPSAnd I wept with my soul with fasting, And that became unto me a reproach.
12
ThomsonWhen I clothed myself with sackcloth, I became to them a proverb—
BrentonAnd I put on sackcloth for my covering; and I became a proverb to them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐθέμην τὸ ἔνδυμά μου σάκκον, καὶ ἐγενόμην αὐτοῖς εἰς παραβολήν.
KJVI made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
JPSI made sackcloth also my garment, And I became a byword unto them.
13
Thomsonthey who sat in the gate spoke against me; and they who drank wine, made me their song.
BrentonThey that sit in the gate talked against me, and they that drank wine sang against me.
GreekΚατʼ ἐμοῦ ἠδολέσχουν οἱ καθήμενοι ἐν πύλῃ, καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ ἔψαλλον οἱ πίνοντες τὸν οἶνον.
KJVThey that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.
JPSThey that sit in the gate talk of me; And I am the song of the drunkards. .
14
ThomsonBut to Thee, O Lord, I, in my prayer, applied: it was a time of favour. O God, in the multitude of Thy mercy—in the truth of Thy salvation, hearken to me.
BrentonBut I will cry to thee, O Lord, in my prayer; O God, it is a propitious time: in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ μου πρὸς σὲ Κύριε, καιρὸς εὐδοκίας ὁ Θεός· ἐν τῷ πλήθει τοῦ ἐλέους σου ἐπάκουσόν μου, ἐν ἀληθείᾳ τῆς σωτηρίας σου.
KJVBut 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.
JPSBut as for me, let my prayer be unto Thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time; O God, in the abundance of Thy mercy, Answer me with the truth of Thy salvation.
15
ThomsonSave me from mire that I may not sink down. Let me be delivered from them who hate me and out of this depth of waters.
BrentonSave me from the mire, that I stick not in it: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and from the deep waters.
GreekΣῶσόν με ἀπὸ πηλοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἐνπαγῶ· ῥυσθείην ἐκ τῶν μισούντων με, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ βάθους τῶν ὑδάτων.
KJVDeliver 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.
JPSDeliver 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.
16
ThomsonLet not a flood of water overwhelm me, nor a whirlpool swallow me up, nor a pit shut its mouth upon me.
BrentonLet not the waterflood drown me, nor let the deep swallow me up; neither let the well shut its mouth upon me.
GreekΜή με καταποντισάτω καταιγὶς ὕδατος, μηδὲ καταπιέτω με βυθὸς, μηδὲ συνσχέτω ἐπʼ ἐμὲ φρέαρ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ.
KJVLet not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
JPSLet not the waterflood overwhelm me, Neither let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17
ThomsonHear me, O Lord, for Thy lovingkindness is good; according to Thine abundant mercy, look down upon me. Turn not away Thy face from Thy servant;
BrentonHear me, O Lord; for thy mercy is good: according to the multitude of thy compassions look upon me.
GreekΕἰσάκουσόν μου Κύριε, ὅτι χρηστὸν τὸ ἔλεός σου, κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου ἐπίβλεψον ἐπʼ ἐμε.
KJVHear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
JPSAnswer me, O LORD, for Thy mercy is good; According to the multitude of Thy compassions turn Thou unto me.
18
Thomsonbecause I am in distress, hear me speedily.
BrentonAnd turn not away thy face from thy servant; for I am afflicted: hear me speedily.
GreekΚαὶ μὴ ἀποστρέψῃς τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπὸ τοῦ παιδός σου· ὅτι θλίβομαι, ταχὺ ἐπάκουσόν μου.
KJVAnd hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.
JPSAnd hide not Thy face from Thy servant; For I am in distress; answer me speedily.
19
ThomsonDraw near to my soul and redeem it; deliver me, because of mine enemies.
BrentonDraw nigh to my soul and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
GreekΠρόσχες τῇ ψυχῇ μου, καὶ λύτρωσαι αὐτὴν, ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου ῥῦσαί με.
KJVDraw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
JPSDraw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it; Ransom me because of mine enemies.
20
ThomsonFor Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame and my confusion; all mine adversaries are before Thee.
BrentonFor thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my confusion; all that afflict me are before thee.
GreekΣὺ γὰρ γινώσκεις τὸν ὀνειδισμόν μου, καὶ τὴν αἰσχύνην μου, καὶ τὴν ἐντροπήν μου· ἐναντίον σου πάντες οἱ θλίβοντές με.
KJVThou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
JPSThou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my confusion; Mine adversaries are all before Thee.
21
ThomsonMy soul expected reproach and misery. I waited for a condoler, but there was none—for a comforter, but none could I find.
BrentonMy soul has waited for reproach and misery; and I waited for one to grieve with me, but there was none; and for one to comfort me, but I found none.
GreekὈνειδισμὸν προσεδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου καὶ ταλαιπωρίαν· καὶ ὑπέμεινα συλλυπούμενον, καὶ οὐχ ὑπῆρξε, καὶ παρακαλοῦντα, καὶ οὐχ εὗρον.
KJVReproach 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.
JPSReproach hath broken my heart; and I am sore sick; And I looked for some to show compassion, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.
22
ThomsonThey indeed have given me gall for my food, and for my thirst, have made me drink vinegar.
BrentonThey gave me also gall for my food, and made me drink vinegar for my thirst.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκαν εἰς τὸ βρῶμά μου χολὴν, καὶ εἰς τὴν δίψαν μου ἐπότισάν με ὄξος.
KJVThey gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
JPSYea, they put poison into my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
23
ThomsonLet their table before them become a snare and a recompense and a stumbling block.
BrentonLet their table before them be for a snare, and for a recompence, and for a stumbling-block.
GreekΓενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα, καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν, καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον.
KJVLet their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
JPSLet their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.
24
ThomsonLet their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their neck continually.
BrentonLet their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.
GreekΣκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν, καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διαπαντὸς σύγκαμψον.
KJVLet their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
JPSLet their eyes be darkened, that they see not; And make their loins continually to totter.
25
ThomsonPour out Thine indignation upon them, and let Thy wrathful ire take hold of them.
BrentonPour out thy wrath upon them, and let the fury of thine anger take hold on them.
GreekἜκχεον ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὴν ὀργήν σου, καὶ ὁ θυμὸς τῆς ὀργῆς σου καταλάβοι αὐτούς.
KJVPour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
JPSPour out Thine indignation upon them, And let the fierceness of Thine anger overtake them.
26
ThomsonLet their fold be desolate, and in their dwellings no inhabitant.
BrentonLet their habitation be made desolate; and let there be no inhabitant in their tents:
GreekΓενηθήτω ἡ ἔπαυλις αὐτῶν ἠρημωμένη, καὶ ἐν τοῖς σκηνώμασιν αὐτῶν μὴ ἔστω ὁ κατοικῶν·
KJVLet their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
JPSLet their encampment be desolate; Let none dwell in their tents.
27
ThomsonBecause him, whom Thou smotest, they persecuted, and have added to the pains of my wounds;
Brentonbecause they persecuted him whom thou hast smitten; and they have added to the grief of my wounds.
Greekὅτι ὃν σὺ ἐπάταξας, αὐτοὶ κατεδίωξαν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ ἄλγος τῶν τραυμάτων μου προσέθηκαν.
KJVFor they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
JPSFor they persecute him whom Thou hast smitten; And they tell of the pain of those whom Thou hast wounded.
28
Thomsonadd Thou iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not come into Thy righteousness.
BrentonAdd iniquity to their iniquity; and let them not come into thy righteousness.
GreekΠρόσθες ἀνομίαν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν αὐτῶν, καὶ μὴ εἰσελθέτωσαν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ σου.
KJVAdd iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
JPSAdd iniquity unto their iniquity; And let them not come into Thy righteousness.
29
ThomsonLet them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be enrolled with the righteous.
BrentonLet them be blotted out of the book of the living, and let them not be written with the righteous.
GreekἘξαλειφθήτωσαν ἐκ βίβλου ζώντων, καὶ μετὰ δικαίων μὴ γραφήτωσαν.
KJVLet them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
JPSLet them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.
30
ThomsonI am afflicted—I am full of pain; but the salvation of Thy countenance hath upheld me.
BrentonI am poor and sorrowful; but the salvation of thy countenance has helped me.
GreekΠτωχὸς καὶ ἀλγῶν εἰμι ἐγὼ, καὶ ἡ σωτηρία τοῦ προσώπου σου ἀντελάβετό μου.
KJVBut I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
JPS—
31
ThomsonI will praise the name of my God with an Ode: I will magnify Him with thanksgiving;
BrentonI will praise the name of my God with a song, I will magnify him with praise;
GreekΑἰνέσω τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ μου μετʼ ᾠδῆς, μεγαλυνῶ αὐτὸν ἐν αἰνέσει·
KJVI will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
JPSI will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. .
32
Thomsonthis indeed will be more pleasing to God than a young bull with horns and hoofs.
Brentonand this shall please God more than a young calf having horns and hoofs.
Greekκαὶ ἀρέσει τῷ Θεῷ ὑπὲρ μόσχον νέον κέρατα ἐκφέροντα καὶ ὁπλάς.
KJVThis also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
JPSAnd it shall please the LORD better than a bullock That hath horns and hoofs.
33
ThomsonLet the afflicted behold and rejoice: seek God diligently and you shall live.
BrentonLet the poor see and rejoice; seek the Lord diligently, and ye shall live.
GreekἸδέτωσαν πτωχοὶ καὶ εὐφρανθήτωσαν· ἐκζητήσατε τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ζήσεσθε.
KJVThe humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
JPSThe humble shall see it, and be glad; Ye that seek after God, let your heart revive.
34
Thomson—
BrentonFor the Lord hears the poor, and does not set at nought his fettered ones.
GreekὍτι εἰσήκουσε τῶν πενήτων ὁ Κύριος, καὶ τοὺς πεπεδημένους αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐξουδένωσεν.
KJVFor the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
JPS—
35
ThomsonLet the heavens and the earth praise Him—the sea and all that move therein.
BrentonLet the heavens and the earth praise him, the sea, and all things moving in them.
GreekΑἰνεσάτωσαν αὐτὸν οἱ οὐρανοὶ καὶ ἡ γῆ, θάλασσα καὶ πάντα τὰ ἕρποντα ἐν αὐτοῖς.
KJVLet the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
JPSLet heaven and earth praise Him, The seas, and every thing that moveth therein.
36
ThomsonFor God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea shall be rebuilded, and the seed of His servants shall dwell there.
BrentonFor God will save Sion, and the cities of Judea shall be built; and men shall dwell there, and inherit it.
GreekὍτι ὁ Θεὸς σώσει τὴν Σιὼν, καὶ οἰκοδομηθήσονται αἱ πόλεις τῆς Ἰουδαίας, καὶ κατοικήσουσιν ἐκεῖ, καὶ κληρονομήσουσιν αὐτήν.
KJVFor God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
JPSFor God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah; And they shall abide there, and have it in possession.
37
ThomsonThey shall inherit it and possess it; and they who love His name shall dwell therein.
BrentonAnd the seed of his servants shall possess it, and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ σπέρμα τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ καθέξουσιν αὐτὴν, καὶ οἱ ἀγαπῶντες τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ κατασκηνώσουσιν ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVThe seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
JPSThe seed also of His servants shall inherit it; And they that love His name shall dwell therein.