Psalms of Solomon 16

1 When my soul grew drowsy and drifted from the Lord, I almost slipped into the deep sleep of those far from God.

2 My soul was almost poured out into death, close to the gates of Hades alongside a sinner.

3 My soul was being carried away from the Lord God of Israel—except that the Lord supported me with his mercy forever.

4 He prodded me as with a horse’s spur and woke me. The one who rescues and supports me saved me at every moment.

5 I will give you thanks, God, because you supported me for rescue and did not count me with sinners for destruction.

6 Do not take your mercy away from me, God, or the remembrance of you from my heart until death.

7 Take control of me and keep me from evil sin and from every evil woman who makes a fool stumble.

8 Do not let the beauty of a lawbreaking woman—or the beauty of anyone subject to useless sin—deceive me.

9 Direct the works of my hands in your place, and guard my steps in remembrance of you.

10 Restrain my tongue and lips with words of truth; keep anger and irrational wrath far from me.

11 Keep complaint and discouragement far from me in distress. If I sin, discipline me so that I turn back.

12 Establish my soul with good pleasure and gladness. When you strengthen my soul, what you give me will be enough.

13 For unless you strengthen me, who can bear discipline in poverty?

14 When a soul is corrected in the hand of its decay, your testing is in its flesh and in the distress of poverty.

15 When a righteous person endures these things, the Lord will show him mercy.