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.

Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresses me.

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

My enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O you most High.

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

What time I am afraid, I will trust 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 his word, 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.

Every day they wrest 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 gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

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

Shall they escape by iniquity? in your anger cast down the people, O God.

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

You tell my wanderings: put you my tears into your bottle: are they not in your 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.

When I cry to you, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

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

In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

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

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me.

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

Your vows are on me, O God: I will render praises 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 delivered my soul from death: will not you deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?