Be Merciful to Me, O God (1 Samuel 21:8–15)
1 Brenton For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me. BSB BSB: For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
2 Brenton Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me. BSB BSB: My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
3 Brenton They shall be afraid, but I will trust in thee. BSB BSB: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
4 Brenton In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me. BSB BSB: In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
5 Brenton All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices are against me for evil. BSB BSB: All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
6 Brenton They will dwell near and hide themselves ; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul. BSB BSB: They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
7 Brenton Thou wilt on no account save them; thou wilt bring down the people in wrath. BSB BSB: In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
8 Brenton O God, I have declared my life to thee; thou hast set my tears before thee, even according to thy promise. BSB BSB: You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
9 Brenton Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon thee; behold, I know that thou art my God. BSB BSB: Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
10 Brenton In God will I praise his word; in the Lord will I praise his saying. BSB BSB: In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 Brenton I have hoped in God; I will not be afraid of what man shall do to me. BSB BSB: in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12 Brenton The vows of thy praise, O God, which I will pay, are upon me. BSB BSB: Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
13 Brenton For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from sliding, that I should be well-pleasing before God in the land of the living. BSB BSB: For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.