The ropes of Sheol tightened around me, ¹  the snares of death trapped me. ² 

If I were to ascend ¹  to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. ² 

As when one plows and breaks up the soil, ¹  so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

O Lord, you pulled me ¹  up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave. ² 

But ¹  God will rescue ²  my life ³  from the power ⁴  of Sheol; certainly ⁵  he will pull me to safety. ⁶  (Selah)

May death destroy them! ¹  May they go down alive into Sheol! ²  For evil is in their dwelling place and in their midst.

No man can live on without experiencing death, or deliver his life from the power of Sheol. ¹  (Selah)

The ropes of death tightened around me, ¹  the snares ²  of Sheol confronted me. I was confronted ³  with trouble and sorrow.

They will travel to Sheol like sheep, ¹  with death as their shepherd. ²  The godly will rule ³  over them when the day of vindication dawns; ⁴  Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses. ⁵ 

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; ²  a prayer ³  of David, written when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him. ⁴  Deliver me from my enemies, my God! Protect me ⁵  from those who attack me! ⁶ 

For the music director; by the Lord’s servant David, who sang ²  to the Lord the words of this song when ³  the Lord rescued him from the power ⁴  of all his enemies, including Saul. ⁵  He said: ⁶  “I love ⁷  you, Lord, my source of strength! ⁸ 

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; ²  a prayer ³  of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. ⁴  Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. ⁵  In the shadow of your wings ⁶  I take shelter until trouble passes.