4. from choking fire all around me,from the midst of a firethat I didn’t start,
5. from the depths of the bellyof the grave,and from a polluted tongueand lying words,
6. as well as the arrowliketongue of the unrighteous.My soul approached death,and my life was on the edge of the grave below.
7. People surrounded me on every side,and no one helped;I looked for assistance from human beings, and there was none.
8. Then I remembered your mercy, Lord,and your charity from long ago,that you raise up those who wait for youand save them from the handsof the wicked.
9. I sent up my prayer from the earth,and I begged to be rescued from death.
10. I called out to the Lord,the father of my master:"Don’t desert me in the timeof my distress,when I am helpless before the arrogant.