Be Merciful to Me, O God

(1 Samuel 21:8–15)

56 

56 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.