Be Merciful to Me, O God
(1 Samuel 21:8–15)

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

1 Be merciful to me, O God,

for men are hounding me;

all day they press their attack.

2My enemies pursue me all day long,

for many proudly assail me.

3When I am afraid,

I put my trust in You.

4In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust.

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

5All day long they twist my words;

all their thoughts are on my demise.

6They conspire, they lurk,

they watch my steps

while they wait to take my life.

7In spite of such sin, will they escape?b

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

8You have taken account of my wanderings.c

Put my tears in Your bottle—

are they not in Your book?

9Then my enemies will retreat

on the day I cry for help.

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

10In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

11in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

12Your vows are upon me, O God;

I will render thank offerings to You.

13For You have delivered my soul from death,

and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.