1 O God upon me mercy have,
For man would swallow me:
He fights against me all the day,
Oppress me sore doth he.
2 Throughout the day mine enemies
To swallow me devise;
Who fight against me, O most high,
They many are likewise.
3 I'll put my trust in thee always,
When as I am afraid,
And I in God his word will praise,
In God my trust is staid.
4 For nothing be afraid I will
That flesh can do to me.
5 All day they wrest my words for ill:
'Gainst me their thoughts all be.
6 Themselves together they combine,
Themselves they closely hide:
Because they watch'd this soul of mine,
Into my steps they pry'd.
7 What shall they thus escape away
By their unrighteousness?
O God in wrath without delay,
The people down depress.
8 Of all my wandrings to and fro
Thou hast the reck'ning took:
My tears thy bottle put into,
Are they not in thy book?
9 Then shall my enemies turn back,
When I do cry to thee:
This I know in assured wise
That God will be for me.
10 In God I'll praise the word, the word
Praise in the Lord I will.
11 In God I'll trust, nor be afraid
What man can do me ill.
12 O God upon me are thy vows;
I'll render praise to thee.
13 Because that thou my soul from death
Hast set at liberty.
And wilt not thou also my feet
From falling set them free?
That I 'fore God may walk i'th'light
Of them that living be.