Faith strengthened by meditation and prayer. (A Psalm of David.)

¹⁾Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications; in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

²⁾And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

³⁾For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have long been dead.

⁴⁾Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

⁵⁾I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

⁶⁾I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

⁷⁾Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

⁸⁾Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

⁹⁾Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; I flee unto thee to hide me.

¹⁰⁾Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God; thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

¹¹⁾Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake; for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

¹²⁾And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am thy servant.