[A psalm of David, when his son Absalom was pursuing him.]
O Lord, hear my prayer: 
receive my plea with your ears, 
in your truth; hear me in your justice.
And do not enter into judgement with your servant, 
because every living thing 
will not be justified in your sight.
Because my enemy has pursued my soul; 
he has brought my life down to the ground; 
he has made me live in shadows, 
like the dead of previous ages.
And my spirit has been worried over me; 
my heart has been disturbed within me.
I remembered the old days; I considered all your works; 
I have been considering the deeds of your hands.
I hold out my hands to you; 
my soul is to you like earth without water.
Hear me swiftly, o Lord: my spirit has abandoned me. 
Do not turn your face away from me, 
or I will be like those going down into emptiness.
Make your mercy heard by me in the morning, 
because I have hoped in you. 
Make known to me the path in which I should walk, 
because I have lifted my soul up to you.
Snatch me away from my enemies, o Lord; 
I have fled to you.
Teach me to do your will, 
because you are my God. 
Your good Spirit will lead me down into the right land.
Because of your name, o Lord, you will make me alive 
in your justice, you will lead my soul from its trouble,
And in your mercy you will utterly ruin my enemies, 
and defeat all those who trouble my soul, 
since I am your servant.