To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

8,6,8,6

^1Be merciful to me, O God;

thy mercy unto me

Do thou extend; because my soul

doth put her trust in thee:

Yea, in the shadow of thy wings

my refuge I will place,

Until these sad calamities

do wholly overpass.

^2My cry I will cause to ascend

unto the Lord most high;

To God, who doth all things for me

perform most perfectly.

^3From heav'n he shall send down, and me

from his reproach defend

That would devour me: God his truth

and mercy forth shall send.

^4My soul among fierce lions is,

I firebrands live among,

Men's sons, whose teeth are spears and darts,

a sharp sword is their tongue.

^5Be thou exalted very high

above the heav'ns, O God;

Let thou thy glory be advanc'd

o'er all the earth abroad.

^6My soul's bow'd down; for they a net

have laid, my steps to snare:

Into the pit which they have digg'd

for me, they fallen are.

^7My heart is fix'd, my heart is fix'd,

O God; I'll sing and praise.

^8My glory wake; wake psalt'ry, harp;

myself I'll early raise.

^9I'll praise thee mong the people, Lord;

'mong nations sing will I:

^10For great to heav'n thy mercy is,

thy truth is to the sky.

^11O Lord, exalted be thy name

above the heav'ns to stand:

Do thou thy glory far advance

above both sea and land.