For the Chief Musician; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me;

For my soul taketh refuge in thee:

Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge,

Until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God Most High,

Unto God that performeth all things for me.

3 He will send from heaven, and save me,

When he that would swallow me up reproacheth; [Selah

God will send forth his lovingkindness and his truth.

4 My soul is among lions;

I lie among them that are set on fire,

Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

And their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let thy glory be above all the earth.

6 They have prepared a net for my steps;

My soul is bowed down:

They have digged a pit before me;

They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. [Selah

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.

8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp:

I myself will awake right early.

9 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples:

I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

10 For thy lovingkindness is great unto the heavens,

And thy truth unto the skies.

11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let thy glory be above all the earth.