1  Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

^win the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

2  I cry out to God Most High,

to God who ^xfulfills his purpose for me.

3  He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who ^ytramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4  My soul is in the midst of ^zlions;

I lie down amid fiery beasts—

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.

5  ^aBe exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

6  They set a net for my steps;

my soul was bowed down.

They ^bdug a pit in my way,

but they have ^cfallen into it themselves. Selah

7  ^dMy heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast!

^eI will sing and make melody!

8  Awake, my glory!²

Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

9  ^fI will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10  For your steadfast love is great ^gto the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

11  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!