4. from flames that beset me on every side,From the midst of fire till there was not a whiff of it,
5. from the deep belly of Sheol,From deceiving lips and painters of lies,
6. from the arrows of a treacherous tongue.I was at the point of death,my life was nearing the depths of Sheol;
7. I turned every way, but there was no one to help;I looked for support but there was none.
8. Then I remembered the mercies of the Lord,his acts of kindness through ages past;For he saves those who take refuge in him,and rescues them from every evil.
9. So I raised my voice from the grave;from the gates of Sheol I cried for help.
10. I called out: Lord, you are my Father,my champion, my savior!Do not abandon me in time of trouble,in the midst of storms and dangers.
11. I will always praise your nameand remember you in prayer!Then the Lord heard my voice,and listened to my appeal.
12. He saved me from every eviland preserved me in time of trouble.For this reason I thank and praise him;I bless the name of the Lord.
13. When I was young and innocent,I sought wisdom.
14. She came to me in her beauty,and until the end I will cultivate her.
15. As the blossoms yielded to ripening grapes,the heart’s joy,My feet kept to the level pathbecause from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
16. In the short time I paid heed,I met with great instruction.
17. Since in this way I have profited,I will give my Teacher grateful praise.
18. I resolved to tread her paths;I have been jealous for the good and will not turn back.
19. I burned with desire for her,never relenting.I became preoccupied with her,never weary of extolling her.I spread out my hands to the heavensand I came to know her secrets.
20. For her I purified my hands;in cleanness I attained to her.At first acquaintance with her, I gained understandingsuch that I will never forsake her.