1 A Psalm of David, when his son pursued him. O Lord, attend to my prayer : hearken to my supplication in thy truth ; hear me in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul ; he has brought my life down to the ground ; he has made me to dwell in a dark place, as those that have been long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me ; my heart was troubled within me.
5 I remembered the days of old ; and I meditated on all thy doings : yea, I meditated on the works of thine hands.
6 I spread forth my hands to thee ; my soul thirsts for thee, as a dry land. Pause.
7 Hear me speedily, O Lord ; my spirit has failed ; turn not away thy face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning ; for I have hoped in thee ; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk ; for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord ; for I have fled to thee for refuge.
10 Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God ; thy good Spirit shall guide me in the straight way. Notesn1 Alex. as Heb. 'land of uprightness.'
11 Thou shalt quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake ; in thy righteousness thou shalt bring my soul out of affliction.
12 And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy mine enemies, and wilt destroy all those that afflict my soul ; for I am thy servant.