Psalm of Solomon, Chapter 16

1. [A Hymn of Solomon. For help for the saints]. When my soul slumbered I almost slipped and fell from the Lord into decline of those who sleep far from God.    2. Within a little my soul would have been poured out to death, near the gates of Hades, with the sinner,    3. when my soul was being drawn away from the Lord God of Israel, if the Lord had not come to my aid with his eternal mercy.    4. He jabbed me as a goad [pokes] the horse to keep it awake; my savior and protector at all times saved me.    5. I will praise you, o God, because you came to my aid for salvation, and did not count me with the sinners for destruction.    6. Do not take your mercy away from me, o God, nor your memory from my heart until death.    7. Guard me, o God, from evil sin and from every evil woman who makes the foolish to stumble.    8. And may not deceive me the beauty of a lawless woman nor of anyone subject to useless sin.    9. Keep straight the works of my hands in your place, and protect my steps in your memory.    10. Clothe my tongue and my lips with words of truth; put anger and thoughtless rage far from me.    11. Keep far from me grumbling and discouragement in suffering when you discipline [me] for conversion if I sin.    12. With approval and happiness sustain my soul; when you strengthen my soul, I will be content with what has been given.    13. For if you do not strengthen, who can support discipline in poverty?    14. Your trial [consists] in putting the soul to shame in hand of somebody's corruptibility, in his flesh and in the sufferings of poverty.    15. If the righteous endures these things, he will receive mercy from the Lord.