Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!
I will say to God, Do not condemn me [do not make me guilty]! Show me why You contend with me.
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death,
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and even my bones have wasted away.
ANSWER ME when I call, O God of my righteousness (uprightness, justice, and right standing with You)! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.
Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.