Mazmur 25:18-22

25:18 See my pain and suffering!

Forgive all my sins! ¹ 

25:19 Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me;

they hate me and want to harm me. ² 

25:20 Protect me ³  and deliver me!

Please do not let me be humiliated,

for I have taken shelter in you!

25:21 May integrity and godliness protect me,

for I rely on you!

25:22 O God, rescue ⁴  Israel

from all their distress! ⁵ 

[25:18]  ¹ tn Heb “lift up all my sins.”

[25:19]  ² tn Heb “see my enemies for they are numerous, and [with] violent hatred they hate me.”

[25:20]  ³ tn Or “my life.”

[25:22]  ⁴ tn Or “redeem.”

[25:22]  ⁵ tn Heb “his distresses.”

[25:22]  sn O God, rescue Israel from all their distress. It is possible that the psalmist speaks on behalf of the nation throughout this entire psalm. Another option is that v. 22 is a later addition to the psalm which applies an original individual lament to the covenant community. If so, it may reflect an exilic setting.