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 musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, by David, a Michtham, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.” Be gracious unto me, O God; for man longeth to swallow me up; all the time he oppresseth me fighting.

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

Those that regard me with envy long to swallow [me] up all the time; for many are they that fight against me, O thou Most High.

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

The day [when] I am afraid, I will still 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 will I praise his word, in God I have put my 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 wrest my words: against me are all their thoughts for evil.

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

They come together in troops, they hide themselves, they are those that watch my heels, as though they hoped [to take] my soul.

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

Because of their wrong-doing let me escape from them: in 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?

My wanderings hast thou well numbered: put thou my tears into thy bottle; behold, they are numbered by thee.

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 my enemies retire backward on the day when I call [on thee]: this I know—that God is for me.

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

In God will I praise the word: in the Lord will I praise the 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 can man do unto me?

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

Upon me, O God, [rest] thy vows: I will pay thanksgiving 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—yea, behold, my feet from slipping, that I may walk before God in the light of the life.