Psalms of Solomon 16

1When my soul was departing from the Lord, I almost slipped in the descent of sleep.

2When I was far from God, my soul was almost poured out to death, near the gates of Hades with a sinner.

3When my soul was being torn away from the Lord, the God of Israel—had not the Lord helped me by his mercy forever.

4He prodded me like a horse’s goad He prodded me like a horse’s goad to watchfulness for Him; my Savior and my helper saved me at all times.

5I will give thanks to you, O God, because you took hold of me for salvation, and you did not count me with sinners for destruction.

6Do not withdraw your mercy from me, O God, nor the remembrance of you from my heart until death.

7Restrain me, O God, from evil sin and from every evil woman who causes a foolish man to stumble.

8And do not let the beauty of a lawless woman deceive me, nor that of anything laid before me by worthless sin.

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

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

11Keep grumbling and faintheartedness in affliction far from me, when I sin, as you discipline me for repentance.

12But establish my soul with favor and gladness; when you strengthen my soul, what has been given will be enough for me.

13For if you do not strengthen, who will endure discipline in poverty?

14If a person is rebuked by means of his ruin, your testing is in his flesh and in poverty.

15When the righteous one endures in these things, he will be shown mercy by the Lord.