| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. | 1For the director of music. To the tune of "A Dove on Distant Oaks." Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. |
| 2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. | 2My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. |
| 3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. | 3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. |
| 4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. | 4In God, whose word I praise-- in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? |
| 5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. | 5All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. |
| 6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. | 6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. |
| 7Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. | 7Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down. |
| 8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? | 8Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll -- are they not in your record? |
| 9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. | 9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. |
| 10In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. | 10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-- |
| 11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. | 11in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? |
| 12Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. | 12I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. |
| 13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? | 13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. |
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