1.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

2.

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

3.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4.

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Will praise — I will praise the Lord for his word, for his promises of protection and deliverance, made to his people.
Flesh — Infirm and mortal men, called flesh by way of contempt, as Psalm 78:39; Isaiah 31:3.

5.

Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6.

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
They gather — After they have severally employed their thoughts against me, they meet together to compare them, and to put them in execution.
Hide — They lurk secretly, that they may pry into my most private actions.
Steps — That they may find some occasion to reproach me.
Soul — Or, life, to take it away.

7.

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
Escape — Shall they secure themselves by injurious and malicious practices.
The people — These who are mine enemies.

8.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Wanderings — How I have been hunted from place to place.
Put — Regard and pity them.
Are they not — But why do I pray to God to do that which he hath already done?

9.

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

10.

In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

11.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12.

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Thy vows — I had made vows to express my gratitude, and resolve to perform them.

13.

For 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?

For 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?
Walk — That I may serve and glorify thee.
The light — ln this life.