1 Heb “from the end of the earth.” This may indicate (1) the psalmist is exiled in a distant land, or (2) it may be hyperbolic (the psalmist feels alienated from God’s presence, as if he were in a distant land).
2 Heb “while my heart faints.”
3 The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s wish or prayer.
4 Heb “on to a rocky summit [that] is higher than I.”
5 Or “for.”
6 Or “have been.”
7 Heb “a strong tower from the face of an enemy.”
8 Heb “I will live as a resident alien in your tent permanently.” The cohortative is understood here as indicating resolve. Another option is to take it as expressing a request, “please let me live” (cf. , ).
9 I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. The metaphor compares God to a protective mother bird.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

NIVNew International Version (2011)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever

and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I call to you from the ends of the earth

when my heart is without strength.

Lead me to a rock that is high above me,

for you have been a refuge for me,

a strong tower in the face of the enemy.

I will dwell in your tent forever

and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.

Selah

NLTNew Living Translation

From the ends of the earth,

I cry to you for help

when my heart is overwhelmed.

Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

for you are my safe refuge,

a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

Let me live forever in your sanctuary,

safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

Interlude

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

From the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart grows faint.

You will lead me to a rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,

a strong tower from the enemy.

Let me reside in your tent forever.

Let me take refuge under the covering of your wings. Selah

KJV 1900King James Version

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me,

And a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:

I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

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