For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A Psalm of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.

1 Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.

2 Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.

3 What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.

4 In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?

5 All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.

8 Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?

9 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call: This I know, that God is for me.

10 In God (I will praise his word), In Jehovah (I will praise his word),

11 In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do unto me?

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank-offerings unto thee.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?