1Bow down thine ear, O Jehovah , and answer me ; For I am poor and needy . 2Preserve my soul ; for I am godly : O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 3Be merciful unto me , O Lord; For unto thee do I cry all the day long . 4Rejoice the soul of thy servant ; For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul .
God's Character and Attributes
5For thou , Lord , art good , and ready to forgive , And abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee . 6Give ear, O Jehovah , unto my prayer ; And hearken unto the voice of my supplications . 7In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee ; For thou wilt answer me .
The Nations and God's Glory
8There is none like unto thee among the gods, O Lord; Neither are there any works like unto thy works . 9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee , O Lord; And they shall glorify thy name . 10For thou art great , and doest wondrous things : Thou art God alone .
A Personal Plea for Guidance
11Teach me thy way , O Jehovah ; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name . 12I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart ; And I will glorify thy name for evermore . 13For great is thy lovingkindness toward me ; And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol .
The Response of the Wicked
14O God , the proud are risen up against me , And a company of violent men have sought after my soul , And have not set thee before them . 15But thou, O Lord , art a God merciful and gracious , Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. 16Oh turn unto me , and have mercy upon me ; Give thy strength unto thy servant , And save the son of thy handmaid. 17Show me a token for good , That they who hate me may see it , and be put to shame, Because thou , Jehovah , hast helped me , and comforted me .