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.

For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be gracious unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up; all the day he fighting oppresseth me.

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

They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day; for they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

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

In the day that I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee.

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 His word — in God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can flesh do unto me?

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

All the day they trouble mine affairs; 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 gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps; according as they have waited for my soul.

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

Because of iniquity cast them out; in anger bring down the peoples, O God.

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

Thou has counted my wanderings; put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?

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 shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call; this I know, that God is for me.

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

In God — I will praise His word — in the LORD — I will praise His word —

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

In God do I trust, I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?

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

Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank-offerings unto Thee.

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 thou hast delivered my soul from death; hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling? that I may walk before God in the light of the living.