How Long, O Lord
Psalms 12
David cries out asking how long the Lord will seem to forget him while sorrow weighs on his heart and his enemy triumphs over him, but he closes by affirming his trust in God's mercy and resolving to sing of his salvation.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, a Psalm of David.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυίδ. Ἕως πότε Κύριε ἐπιλήσῃ μου, εἰς τέλος; ἕως πότε ἀποστρέψεις τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ;
KJV—
JPSFor the Leader. A Psalm of David.
2
ThomsonHOW long, O Lord, wilt Thou forget me? For ever? How long wilt Thou turn away Thy face from me?
BrentonHow long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me? for ever? how long wilt thou turn away thy face from me?
GreekἝως τίνος θήσομαι βουλὰς ἐν ψυχῇ μου, ὀδύνας ἐν καρδίᾳ μου ἡμέρας; ἕως πότε ὑψωθήσεται ὁ ἐχθρός μου ἐπʼ ἐμέ;
KJVHow long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
JPSHow long, O LORD, wilt Thou forget me for ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?
3
ThomsonHow long shall I revolve counsels in my mind, and sorrows in my heart? For years? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
BrentonHow long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrows in my heart daily? how long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
GreekἘπίβλεψον, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου· φώτισον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου, μή ποτε ὑπνώσω εἰς θάνατον·
KJVHow long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
JPSHow long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart by day? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
4
ThomsonLook down, hearken to me, O Lord, my God. Enlighten mine eyes, that I may not sleep unto death—
BrentonLook on me, hearken to me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep in death;
Greekμή ποτε εἴποι ὁ ἐχθρός μου, ἴσχυσα πρὸς αὐτόν· οἱ θλίβοντές με ἀγαλλιάσονται ἐὰν σαλευθῶ.
KJVConsider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
JPSBehold Thou, and answer me, O LORD my God; Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
5
Thomsonlest mine enemy say, I have prevailed over him. They who afflict me will rejoice, if I be moved.
Brentonlest at any time mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: my persecutors will exult if ever I should be moved.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ ἐλέει σου ἤλπισα· ἀγαλλιάσεται ἡ καρδία μου ἐν τῷ σωτηρίῳ σου.
KJVLest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
JPSLest mine enemy say: 'I have prevailed against him'; Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.
6
ThomsonI will sing to the Lord my benefactor; and hymn to the name of the Lord Most High.
BrentonBut I have hoped in thy mercy; my heart shall exult in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has dealt bountifully with me, and I will sing psalms to the name of the Lord most high.
GreekἌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ εὐεργετήσαντί με, καὶ ψαλῶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ ὑψίστου.
KJVI will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
JPSBut as for me, in Thy mercy do I trust; My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, Because He hath dealt bountifully with me.