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 me 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.