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 Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.] Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.

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

My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.

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

When I am afraid, I will put my 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 praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

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

All day long they twist 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 conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.

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

Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God.

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

You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they 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.

Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, 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 Jehovah, I will praise his word.

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

I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

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

Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings 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, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.