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

A. Crying to God

1 Be merciful unto me, O God,
be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusteth in thee:
yea, in the shadow of thy wings
will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven,
and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah.
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

B. the crisis

4 My soul is among lions:
and I lie even among them that are set on fire,
even the sons of men,
whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.

Refrain

5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth.

B’. the crisis

6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me,
into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

A’. Praising God

7 My heart is fixed, O God,
my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake up, my glory;
awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.

Refrain

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