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.

Unto the end. For the people who have become far removed from the Sacred. Of David, with the inscription of a title, when the Philistines held him in Gath. Have mercy on me, O God, because man has trampled over me. All day long, he has afflicted me by fighting against me.

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

My enemies have trampled over me all day long. For those who make war against me are many.

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

From the height of the day, I will be afraid. But truly, I will hope 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, I will praise my words. In God, I have put my trust. I will not fear what flesh can do to me.

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

All day long, they curse my words. All their intentions are for evil against me.

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

They will dwell and hide themselves. They will watch my heel, just as they waited for my soul;

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

because of this, nothing will save them. In your anger, you will crush the people.

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

O God, I have announced my life to you. You have placed my tears in your sight, and even in your promise.

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

Then my enemies will be turned back. On whatever day that I call upon you, behold, I know that you are my God.

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

In God, I will praise the word. In the Lord, I will praise his speech.

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

In God, I have hoped. I will not fear what man can do to me.

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

My vows to you, O God, are in me. I will repay them. Praises be to you.

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.

For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from slipping, so that I may be pleasing in the sight of God, in the light of the living.