Be Merciful to Me, O God

(1 Samuel 21:8–15)

For the choirmaster. To the tune of“A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam[fn] of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

Be merciful to me, O God,

for men are hounding me;

all day they press their attack.

2 

My enemies pursue me all day [long],

for many proudly assail me.

3 

When I am afraid,

I put my trust in You.

4 

In God, whose word I praise —

in God I trust.

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

5 

All day long they twist my words;

all their thoughts [are] on my demise.

6 

They conspire, they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.

7 

In spite of such sin, {will} they escape

In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

8 

You have taken account of my wanderings.[fn]

Put my tears in Your bottle —

[are they] not in Your book?

9 

Then my enemies will retreat

on the day I cry for help.

By this I will know that God [is] on my side.

10 

In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

11 

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

12 

Your vows [are] upon me, O God;

I will render thank offerings to You.

13 

For You have delivered my soul from death,

and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.