For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.a

1O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your rage.

2Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.

Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

3I am sick at heart.

How long, O LORD, until you restore me?

4Return, O LORD, and rescue me.

Save me because of your unfailing love.

5For the dead do not remember you.

Who can praise you from the grave?b

6I am worn out from sobbing.

All night I flood my bed with weeping,

drenching it with my tears.

7My vision is blurred by grief;

my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

8Go away, all you who do evil,

for the LORD has heard my weeping.

9The LORD has heard my plea;

the LORD will answer my prayer.

10May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.

May they suddenly turn back in shame.