For the director of music. To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oaks’. Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.[1]2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.7Because of their wickedness do not[2] let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll[3] – are they not in your record?9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.10In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise –11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank-offerings to you.13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
1Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;[1] (Ps 4:1; Ps 57:1; Ps 57:3)2my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Ps 11:1)4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Ps 27:1; Ps 118:6; Isa 51:12; Heb 13:6)5All day long they injure my cause;[2] all their thoughts are against me for evil.6They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. (Ps 10:8; Ps 59:3; Ps 71:10; Ps 140:2; Isa 54:15)7For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! (Ps 7:6; Ps 55:23; Ps 59:5)8You have kept count of my tossings;[3] put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? (2Ki 20:5; Ps 39:12; Mal 3:16)9Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that[4] God is for me. (Ps 102:2; Ps 118:6; Ro 8:31)10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,11in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps 4:1)12I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. (Ps 50:14)13For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Ps 49:15; Ps 49:19; Ps 116:8; Ps 116:9)