English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.
1
Be good to me, God - and now! I've run to you for dear life. I'm hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
2
I call out to High God, the God who holds me together.
3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
3
He sends orders from heaven and saves me, he humiliates those who kick me around. God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word.
4 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts-- the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
4
I find myself in a pride of lions who are wild for a taste of human flesh; Their teeth are lances and arrows, their tongues are sharp daggers.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
5
Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory!
6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
6
They booby trapped my path; I thought I was dead and done for. They dug a mantrap to catch me, and fell in headlong themselves.
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!
7
I'm ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
8
"Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
9
I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
10
The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
11
Soar high in the skies, O God! Cover the whole earth with your glory!
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.