For the director of music. To the tune of “The Dove in the Distant Oak.” A miktam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.

 

1  God, be merciful to me because people are chasing me.

The battle has pressed me all day long.

 

2  My enemies have chased me all day.

There are many of them fighting me.

 

3  When I am afraid,

I will trust you.

 

4  I praise God for his word.

I trust God. So I am not afraid.

What can human beings do to me?

 

5  All day long they twist my words.

All their evil plans are against me.

 

6  They wait. They hide.

They watch my steps.

They hope to kill me.

 

7  God, do not let them escape.

Punish the foreign nations in your anger.

 

8  You have recorded my troubles.

You have kept a list of my tears.

Aren’t they in your records?

 

9  On the day I call for help, my enemies will be defeated.

I know that God is on my side.

 

10  I praise God for his word to me.

I praise the Lord for his word.

 

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

What can people do to me?

 

12  God, I must keep my promises to you.

I will give you my offerings to thank you.

 

13  You have saved me from death.

You have kept me from being defeated.

So I will walk with God

in light among the living.