To the chief Musician, Al-tashĥet, a Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Sha᾽ul in the cave.

For the conductor — "Do not destroy [me]" — a michtam of David, when he fled from Saul [and hid himself] in the cave.

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me: for my soul trusts in Thee: and in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge, until calamities be overpast.

Be gracious to me, O G d [(that I not be killed)]; be gracious to me [(that I not kill)]. For my soul has sheltered itself with You, and I will seek shelter in the shadow of Your wings until the evil has passed.

I will cry to God most high; to God who performs all things for me.

I will call to G d on high, to the Almighty, who will consummate [His assurance] to me.

He will send from heaven, and save me; he scorns him who would swallow me up. (Sela.) God shall send forth his steadfast love and his truth.

He will send from heaven and deliver me for all time from the shaming of those who would swallow me. G d will send His lovingkindness and His truth [(the truth of His assurance)].

My soul is among lions: and I lie down among those who are aflame, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

My soul [dwells] in the midst of lions [(Avner and Amassa, "lions" in Torah, who, notwithstanding, do not reprove Saul)], and I rest among men [the Ziphim] who are aflame [with slander], whose teeth are as spears and arrows, and whose tongues are as sharp swords.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth.

[(It is not fitting that Your shechinah repose among such men, so)] rise above the heavens, O G d, [and, thereby,] Your glory [will be manifest] upon all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the midst of which they are fallen themselves. (Sela.)

They have laid out a snare for my steps, he [the foe] has bowed down my soul, they have dug a pit for me — they will fall in it [(never to emerge)] forever.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast: I will sing and give praise.

My heart is right, O G d; my heart is right [(faithful to Him in [His exercise of] the attribute of justice, faithful to Him in [His exercise of] the attribute of mercy)]; I will sing and chant [praise to You].

Wake up, my glory; awake, the harp and the lyre: I will awake the dawn.

Awake, my soul! Awake [it] harp and lyre [(to sing the L rd's praises)]; I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the peoples: I will sing to Thee among the nations.

I will praise You among the peoples, O L rd; I will sing of You among the nations.

For Thy love is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth to the clouds.

For Your lovingkindness [to me] has attained to the heavens, and Your truth [has ascended] to the heavenly heights.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth.

Rise above the heavens, O G d, [and, thereby,] Your glory [will be manifest] upon all the earth.