2
for thou hast been my protector and helper and hast delivered my body from destruction and from the snare of a slanderous tongue, from lips that utter lies. Before those who stood by thou wast my helper,
3
and didst deliver me, in the greatness of thy mercy and of thy name, from the gnashings of teeth about to devour me, from the hand of those who sought my life, from the many afflictions that I endured,
4
from choking fire on every side and from the midst of fire which I did not kindle,
5
from the depths of the belly of Hades, from an unclean tongue and lying words --
6
the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul drew near to death, and my life was very near to Hades beneath.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.