1 ¶ O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water;

O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.

2 i n this manner I beheld thee in holiness when I beheld thy power and thy glory.

So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory.

3 ¶ Because thy mercy is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

4 T hus will I bless thee in my life; in thy name shall I lift up my hands.

So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 M y soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips

My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips

6 W hen I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches.

When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.

7 ¶ Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.

8 M y soul has followed hard after thee; thy right hand has upheld me.

My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

9 B ut those that sought my soul, to destroy it, descended into the lower parts of the earth.

But those who seek and demand my life to ruin and destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 T hey shall be slain by the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes.

They shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a prey for foxes and jackals.

11 B ut the king shall rejoice in God; every one that swears by him shall be praised; for the mouth of those that speak lies shall be stopped.

But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies shall be stopped.