1To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of]``Silent Dove Among Those Far Away." Of David. A record of memorable thoughts when the Philistines seized him in Gath. BE MERCIFUL and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary oppresses me.
2They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up or trample me all day long, for they are many who fight against me, O Most High!
3What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.
4By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?
5All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life.
7They think to escape with iniquity, and shall they? In Your indignation bring down the peoples, O God.
8You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle--are they not in Your book?
9Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. [Rom. 8:31.]
10In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise,
11In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings.
13For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.