For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me,

for my soul takes refuge in you.

Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge,

until disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,

to God who accomplishes my requests for me.

3 He will send from heaven, and save me,

he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah.

God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.

4 My soul is among lions.

I lie among those who are set on fire,

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

and their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be above all the earth!

6 They have prepared a net for my steps.

My soul is bowed down.

They dig a pit before me.

They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah.

7 My heart is steadfast, God.

My heart is steadfast.

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.

8 Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp!

I will wake up the dawn.

9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens,

and your truth to the skies.

11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens.

Let your glory be over all the earth.

1 To the Overcomer [upon], Do not destroy, Michtam of David, when he fled from the presence of Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in thee; and in the shadow of thy wings I will make my refuge until [these] calamities are overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performs [all things] for me.

3 He shall send from the heavens and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

4 My soul [is] among lions, [and] I lie [even among] those 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 dug a pit before me, into the midst of which they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

7 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is willing; I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I [myself] will arise early.

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing unto thee among the nations.

10 For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.: