Then Davidsaidto Gad,"I am in greatdistress.Let us nowfallinto the handof the LORDfor His merciesare great,but do not let me fallinto the handof man."
Again he prostratedhimself and said,"Whatis your servant,that you should regarda deaddoglikeme?"
Now when the attendantof the manof Godhad risenearlyand goneout, behold,an armywith horsesand chariotswas circlingthe city.And his servantsaidto him, "Alas,my master!Whatshall we do?"
Davidsaidto Gad,"I am in greatdistress;pleaselet me fallinto the handof the LORD,for His merciesare verygreat.But do not let me fallinto the handof man."
Greatare Your mercies,O LORD;Reviveme according to Your ordinances.
But there is forgivenesswith You, That You may be feared.
O Israel,hopein the LORD;For with the LORDthere is lovingkindness,And with Him is abundantredemption.
The LORDis goodto all,And His merciesare overallHis works.
Be graciousto me, O God,according to Your lovingkindness;According to the greatnessof Your compassionblotout my transgressions.
But You, O Lord,are a Godmercifuland gracious,Slowto angerand abundantin lovingkindnessand truth.
For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.
A righteousmanhasregardfor the lifeof his animal,But [even] the compassionof the wickedis cruel.
"I was angrywith My people,I profanedMy heritageAnd gavethem into your hand.You did not showmercyto them, On the agedyou madeyour yokeveryheavy.
Let the wickedforsakehis wayAnd the unrighteousmanhis thoughts;And let him returnto the LORD,And He will havecompassionon him, And to our God,For He will abundantlypardon.
"But I will deliveryou on that day,"declaresthe LORD,"and you will not be giveninto the handof the menwhomyou dread.
The LORD'Slovingkindnessesindeednevercease,For His compassionsneverfail.
"To the Lordour God[belong] compassionand forgiveness,for we have rebelledagainst Him;
He prayedto the LORDand said,"PleaseLORD,was not thiswhatI saidwhileI was stillin my [own] country?Thereforein order to forestallthis I fledto Tarshish,for I knewthat You are a graciousand compassionateGod,slowto angerand abundantin lovingkindness,and one who relentsconcerningcalamity.
Whois a GodlikeYou, who pardonsiniquityAnd passesoverthe rebelliousactof the remnantof His possession?He does not retainHis angerforever,BecauseHe delightsin unchanginglove.
He will againhavecompassionon us; He will treadour iniquitiesunderfoot.Yes, You will castalltheir sinsInto the depthsof the sea.
"But I am veryangrywith the nationswho are at ease;for while I was only a littleangry,they furtheredthe disaster."
"NowMy soulhas become troubled;and whatshall I say,Father,saveMe from thishour?But for thispurpose I cameto thishour.
But I am hard-pressedfrom both[directions], havingthe desireto departand be with Christ,for [that] is very muchbetter;
When the menof Israelsawthat they were in a strait(for the peoplewere hard-pressed),then the peoplehidthemselves in caves,in thickets,in cliffs,in cellars,and in pits.
