Psalms 56

1 For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.

For the music director. According to “Dove on Distant Oaks.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time the Philistines captured him in Gath. God, please be gracious to me, for people are persecuting me; my attackers fight against me all day long.

2 Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.

My enemies chase me down all the time—there are many of them, attacking me in their arrogance.

3 What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.

But when I'm afraid, I trust in you.

4 In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?

I thank God for his promises. I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

5 All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.

They constantly twist my words against me; they spend all their time thinking of evil things to do to me.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.

They gather together in their hiding places to keep watch on me, hoping to kill me.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.

Will they escape when they do so much evil? God, in anger bring these people down!

8 Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?

You've kept track of all my wanderings. You've collected all my tears in your bottle. You've kept a record of each one.

9 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call: This I know, that God is for me.

Then those who hate me will run away when I call for your help. For I know this: God is for me!

10 In God (I will praise [his] word), In Jehovah (I will praise [his] word),

I thank God for his promises. I thank the Lord for his promises.

11 In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do unto me?

I trust in God, so why should I be fearful? What can mere human beings do to me?

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank-offerings unto thee.

God, I will keep my promises to you. I will give thank offerings to you,

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [Hast thou] not [delivered] my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

for you have saved me from death and kept me from falling. Now I walk in the presence of God, in the light that gives life.