1. Deliver Me from Death (vv. 1-4). “All day long” David was harassed by the Philistines, who remembered that Israel sang his praises as a great military leader. They pursued him like hungry, panting animals, and David cried out for mercy (see 51:1; 57:1). The record in 1 Samuel doesn’t record any physical attacks on David, but he heard a great deal of slander, and his life was in danger. David manifested both fear and faith as he cried out to God (Matt. 8:26; 14:30; Mark 5:6). The refrain in verses 3-4 is repeated in verses 10-11 as David affirms that God alone gives him the power to praise Him and trust Him. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17 nkjv). Faith and praise cannot be “manufactured”; they must be received as God’s gift. “Mortal man” is “mere man, man who is flesh.” This phrase is quoted in 118:6 and Hebrews 13:6. What Scripture says about fallen human nature is negative (John 6:63; Rom. 7:18; Phil. 3:3).