To 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.

1 BE MERCIFUL and gracious to me, O God, for man would trample me or devour me; all the day long the adversary oppresses me.

2 They 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!

3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.

4 By [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?

5 All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they watch my steps, even as they have [expectantly] waited for my life.

7 They think to escape with iniquity, and shall they? In Your indignation bring down the peoples, O God.

8 You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle--are they not in Your book?

9 Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me.

10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise,

11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings.

13 For 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.