Psalms 56

1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

To the chief music-maker; put to Jonath elem rehokim. Of David. Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath. Have mercy on me, O God, for man is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me.

2 My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

My haters are ever ready to put an end to me; great numbers are lifting themselves up against me.

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

In the time of my fear, I will have faith in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

In God will I give praise to his word; in God have I put my hope; I will have no fear of what flesh may do to me.

5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.

Every day they make wrong use of my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

They come together, they are waiting in secret places, they take note of my steps, they are waiting for my soul.

7 In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

By evil-doing they will not get free from punishment. In wrath, O God, let the peoples be made low.

8 You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book?

You have seen my wanderings; put the drops from my eyes into your bottle; are they not in your record?

9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

When I send up my cry to you, my haters will be turned back; I am certain of this, for God is with me.

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

In God will I give praise to his word; in the Lord will I give praise to his word.

11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

In God have I put my hope, I will have no fear of what man may do to me.

12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.

I keep the memory of my debt to you, O God; I will give you the offerings of praise.

13 For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Because you have taken my soul from the power of death; and kept my feet from falling, so that I may be walking before God in the light of life.