Miserere mei, Deus.
A prayer of David in danger and distress.
55:1. Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance form the
sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when
the Philistines held him in Geth.
55:2. Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all
the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
55:3. My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many
that make war against me.
55:4. From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in
thee.
The height of the day.... That is, even at noonday, when the sun is the
highest, I am still in danger.
55:5. In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will
not fear what flesh can do against me.
My words.... The words or promises God has made in my favour.
55:6. All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were
against me unto evil.
55:7. They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As
they have waited for my soul,
55:8. For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break
the people in pieces. O God,
For nothing shalt thou save them.... That is, since they lie in wait to
ruin my soul, thou shalt for no consideration favour or assist them,
but execute thy justice upon them.
55:9. I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set my tears in thy
sight, As also in thy promise.
55:10. Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall
call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God.
55:11. In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his
speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.
55:12. In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to
thee:
55:13. Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from
falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the
living.